Help!! Pekin duck eggs air cell too small

[TXTiffany]

I have 5 Pekin duck eggs in the bator. It is a still air bator. I have kept the temp at about 99.5. I measure the temp at about 2 inches from the floor of the bator. I should be going into lockdown, but over the last few days I have noticed that the air cells are too small. I am afraid the duckies will drown. I have removed all water from the bater as of yesterday. I don't want to raise the humidity, and go into lockdown. What if anything can I do to help the air cells get larger? Should I go into lockdown anyway?

 

[TXTiffany]

Anyone have any suggestions? This is day 26, and I should be in lockdown with raised humidity. I don't know what I should do? I don't want to lose my babies. Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[TXTiffany]

bump

 

[TXTiffany]

Well I don't know what to do so I guess I will just go on lockdown tonight, and hope for the best

 

[ChristineR]

I don't think you want to raise the humidity when the air cells are too small. That would mean they need to lose more water and bumping the humidity won't let that happen. Go ask over on the "Thread formerly known as Hatch Day is today." It's a very active thread and should be one of the top threads in the duck section. I bet someone there will jump in and help you.

 

[ChristineR]

Also, if they haven't internally pipped, I don't think you need to go into lockdown yet. Have you read the Hatching Guide in the sticky topics section?

 

[ChristineR]

Here's the link to the duck hatching thread. This thread is full of helpful hatching addicts - they should be able to help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/594278/thread-formerly-known-as-hatch-day-is-today/29310

 

[TXTiffany]

Thanks