How long should I wait between first and last duckling hatch?

[annie333]

I got mallard eggs from two different breeders in the mail set all on May 14th expected hatch date tomorrow the 11th. on day 24 one had external pipping it hatched about 24 hours later on day 25. 2 more hatched overnight that night and 5 the following (day 26) Now day 27, 1 more just hatched. I have 5 more eggs in lockdown with no external indication that anything is happening. I have not candelled them since before 4 initial lockdown(day 24) How long should I give these eggs? I really don't want to give up on them just yet.

 

[Alaskan]

Since the actual expected hatch day isn't until tomorrow... I would give them until Sunday.

If you start to have itchy fingers then read through Sally Sunshine's Assisted Hatch article (sorry, I can't link it for you... But it is here on BYC). It is for chickens, but it is totally the same for ducks, except I find the ducks, in regard to hatching... Do everything slower.

 

[annie333]

Thanks for the advice. My Husband says we should just consider them done, but I want to leave them in a little longer. I liked the article you recommended. I am not big on assisting, and this helped cement that.