Help please!

[MandaLynn]

I have a white duck I received as a gift 3 years ago, bought at a local feed store. She went missing about three weeks ago and we found her under the shed nesting. At that point we did not touch the eggs just took photos to try and get an egg count. 17 eggs we thought. So Monday while she was eating my dog got one of her eggs and cracked it, it looked around 15-16day candling match, feathers, a full bill, and feet. Yesterday morning was the last time we saw the mommy duck, the temp also dropped to 39°f finally today at 6pm we brought them in (22 eggs). I did get an incubator they are in now. I did not wash them or candle them afraid to jeopardize the little ones now I'm afraid I have done everything wrong. It was only in the high 30s for aprox. 8 hours. The thermometer is broken on the incubator and I am manually taking it when I can. Please let me know what if anything I can do for these little ones!?! 

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Sorry I've never incubated but from what I understand temperature and humidity are huge important, so my guess is you'll want a thermometer. What about mom tho? 39'C = 103'F, no? My ducks would likely be stressing seriously at that temp, I wouldn't think you'd necessarily need to do anything with her eggs at all. I hope you find mom and quick, she will do the best job caring for her eggs.

 

[MandaLynn]

Omgoodness I meant 39°f my mistake I'm so sorry. And mom is nowhere to be found at the moment. :'( missing now for aprox. 30Hours ! Temp currently at 97.8-99°f best I can do until farm supply store opens.

 

[ancona_crazy]

I am thinking from past experience that you will still get some sort of hatch and the ones that do hatch will have been frozen in growth so to speak, for the period of time that they were not being incubated. It sounds to me like you have good instincts and did things perfectly. But don't be afraid to candle. the mom bumps them and rolls them around all day long. She also lets them cool while she eats.

 

[MandaLynn]

Thank you ancona! I would guess we are on day 19 today. my main concern is that the incubator is getting too hot but I'm trying to keep it down best I can. I have a picture of the little duckling that didn't make it, would that be odd to share to see if I am about right on the age of my eggs? Will be heading to get the correct thermometer today ASAP, and will open the incubator then and possibly try candling a few. Also there are two eggs that have a dark end visible in regular light I'm guessing these are early death eggs!? I could also share a pic of those for you guys expert advice! Thanks again.

 

[MandaLynn]

As of now I have the correct thermometer and now a humidity gauge. Upon candling I did see intact air sacs in all but one egg. My local feed store owner was so much help loaning me the humidity gauge! Now it's the waiting game! Whoo! I hope these little guys are OK! If anyone has stories on duck eggs being alone in the cold please share your experience good or bad.

 

[MandaLynn]

Still no momma duck :'(

 

[Miss Lydia]

Still no momma duck :'(

If she was nesting out side most likely a predator has gotten her, she was probably protecting her clutch. I hope thats not the case but can't imagine why she would run off and leave her eggs. Sorry

 

[ancona_crazy]

If you can see veins and they are only 19 days along thenit is normal to see space. Can't wait to see pics!!

 

[MandaLynn]

The two eggs with the dark areas were bad eggs. That leaves me with 20 eggs out of 23. Current temp 100° humidity 70%.