HELP!!!!! NEEDING ADVICE AND HELP ON DUCK EGG INCUBATING 25-30??

[ashriver924]

All I can remember is that it was the beginning it was around middle of the first week of September when I brought him home and I did everything I read online about caring for a duck egg to then one day candle him and see his little heart beat fluttering in the shell. For which I took pics of. So September 11/12 he was day 6-8 had I known or thought to keep track I would have a better idea. Either way, the help I received just in the past day and been tremendously helpful and spot on! And I’m so very grateful for it!

 

[rjohns39]

It's highly unlikely you'll have any finger nails left when this is over. Ducks are slow to hatch. It's not uncommon for them to rest for 24 hours after they externally pip, before unzipping.

 

[ashriver924]

I do have a question if anyone has time to answer it, please!
I’ve filled the bottom trays in my incubator with water as directed for help with the humidity levels, and my question is should I put a sponge inside to help with the humidity? If so, do I put the sponge in a bowl of water, or do I wet the sponge only and place it in an empty bowl...? Any help is appreciated!!

 

[rjohns39]

Without a humidity reading it's hard to tell. The point of the sponge is to increase surface area for humidity. Since you don't have a gauge, I'd probably put it in a bowl of water. But without knowing what your humidity is, I'm just uncertain. Hygrometers are cheap at walmart and easy to calibrate. My best suggestion would be get one, calibrate it and see where you're at.

 

[ashriver924]

I do have a gauge and it’s reads 48%, and if I’m not mistaken several people commented saying it needs to be above 60%, so should I put one in there or no?

 

[ashriver924]

Also, during this last stage of incubating will there be blood or anything of that nature I should be aware of?

 

[rjohns39]

Have you calibrated it? That's the first step. Pyxis is way better at this than I am.

 

[aart]

I do have a gauge and it’s reads 48%, and if I’m not mistaken several people commented saying it needs to be above 60%, so should I put one in there or no?

You can put it in a dish of water, or just keep wetting it as needed. The bigger the sponge the larger the surface area the more humidity it will generate.

Have you calibrated it? That's the first step. Pyxis is way better at this than I am.

Instructions in here for testing hygrometer:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...incubator-thermometers-and-hygrometers.73634/

Also, during this last stage of incubating will there be blood or anything of that nature I should be aware of?

There can be 'gunk', some fluids, and even some blood...and it can stink. Birth is messy.

 

[ashriver924]

Hey everyone, I have a question!! How long after the little guy internally pips will he externally pip? It’s been 2 days, and not signs on external, and I know he’s fine and the temps have been great and so has the humidity

 

[Pyxis]

Hey everyone, I have a question!! How long after the little guy internally pips will he externally pip? It’s been 2 days, and not signs on external, and I know he’s fine and the temps have been great and so has the humidity

Can you post a picture of you candling showing the internal pip? Generally they will externally pip within 24 hours of the external pip.