HELP! First duck egg hatch, not going well.

[dianneS]

I got some duck eggs from Metzer farms a few weeks ago. I had a temperature spike due to the ambient temperature in the house dropping to very cold, then rising to very warm in a few hours. The incubator spiked a temp of 106, I ended up losing all but one egg.

I've been candling this egg daily and am encouraged every time I see movement, which I had been seeing often.

The house is cold again, especially at night (we let our fire go out) I'm fighting to keep the incubator at a steady temperature.

Basically yesterday I had temps ranging from 86-102. The fluctuations have been brief as I am watching constantly and adjusting.

I'm at day 24. The egg is dark, I can see some veins. It's getting difficult to see much at all, but what concerns me most is the fact that I haven't seen any movement in the past 24 hours.

I'm worried. Is there any hope? What should I do?

 

[XxMingirlxX]

You shouldn't candle everyday, especially not in lock down time as it ends up hurting rather than helping. I suggest you read this hatching guide by SallySunshine its super informative and in depth. :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

Hope that helps and that you have a little duckling soon : )

 

[dianneS]

I candled one more time and I think I saw movement. I hope so anyway. Is it harder to see movement at this stage?

I have the temp holding steady finally, but that could change if the house warms up today or we restart our wood stove.

I'm ready to go into lockdown and hope for the best. It's so hard not knowing what's going on inside that egg!

 

[dianneS]

Are there any links to candling pics of duck eggs?

 

[MySweetChickens]

maybe this will help

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/304863/duck-egg-candling-photo-diary

 

[dianneS]

Thanks!

 

[Orca5094]

Yes, it can be harder to see movement at this stage since it'll just be a little shift in the shadow you see around the edges. This is a good pic reference for duck egg development as well:

 

[dianneS]

We are officially at day 28. No action yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping for a baby duck!

 

[buff goose guy]

You shouldn't candle everyday, especially not in lock down time as it ends up hurting rather than helping. I suggest you read this hatching guide by SallySunshine its super informative and in depth.

:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

Hope that helps and that you have a little duckling soon : )

x2