Help hatching mallard duck eggs

[Eggaholic]

On the 15th of may I brought home 12 mallard duck eggs from a farm and put them all in the incubator at 10 o'clock . Which means that they were supposed to hatch on the 12th right? Well on the 7th of June 3 of the eggs had enternally pipped and 2 of them were shaking .. By since it was only the 23 day of incubation I kept turning them... By the 8th one egg stopped shaking I guess It died because I kept turning it so I stopped turning all the eggs that day but the other egg that was shaking had pipped but it wasn't chirping .. It was making very slow progress n bythe 9th it had died .. Do you think there is any hope left for the rest of the eggs? And why did he hath so early ? Why did he die? The humidity is at 77 percent and the temps at 99.1 ... Please help I am so worried

 

[BayGoose]

My mallards do hatch a little earlier, but around 25-26 days. 23 days may be a little early. Are your sure your thermometer is accurate? Are you sure they weren't incubated at all prior to receiving them? You'll just have to wait and see what happens with them. I don't think turning them right before hatching would affect them that much. Mine get knocked around all the time by hatchlings and they make it just fine. Talk to them right outside the incubator and see if you hear a peep responding back. I always chirp at my ducklings and goslings while they're hatching

. But if they've been externally pipped since the 7th, I would start to think about assisting them out of their shells if they are still alive by morning.

 

[Eggaholic]

Okay thanks today is day 26 and I think it is possible that te mother duck could have sat on the eggs for a few days prior to when I got them.. Do u think I should take them out and see if I hear anything or feel any movement??

 

[BayGoose]

Hmmm, I don't know. They still may be absorbing their yolk. Try to peep right above the incubator and listen for anything responding back. Watch for wiggling too. If by morning though, if they had not made any progress at all, I'd definitely start helping them out. I can help you out here if I'm available. I've done it a thousand times and have it down to a science! But being externally pipped since 7 day seems awfully long... I've assisted chicks and ducklings and most turn out ok in the end. Artificial incubation is not perfect all the time unfortunately.

 

[Eggaholic]

Alright I will try peeping to then an watching them and I will keep you posted.. Unfortanty I won't be able to do anything in the mornin because I have to go to school but I will deffantly try cheeping to them thanks for the advice

 

[BayGoose]

Yes, keep me posted! I hope they do hatch for you or if you're able to assist, they'll be ok. And if not, try again! Maybe purchase eggs elsewhere. It's a learning process, you'll get it.

 

[BayGoose]

And double check that your incubator is running properly, i.e. the thermometer, make sure it's not too warm in there. Eggs hatching too soon could be a sign of it being too hot. Maybe get a second thermometer.

 

[Eggaholic]

Alright I will I'm so anxious for them to hatch I just want to open it so bad and see whats going on in there! But thanks again for all your help

 

[Eggaholic]

Ok I'll put in another thermometer.. Is the current temp and humidity ok for hatching though?

 

[BayGoose]

Yes, it is fine! That's what I usually have it at.