Humidity for hatching duck eggs?

[cherylr21]

the first 2 pix are at 14 days the last 2 were about 5 or so

 

[dekel18042]

OK I need to hatch duck and chicken eggs at the same time how can I do this with only one incubator. I hatch my chicken eggs humidity around 30-40.but was given call duck eggs I was going to pit them in for 1 week then add chicken eggs. So duck eggs are 28 days chicken 21. I'm not sure the duck eggs are good tho the air bubble has a odd color spot like void in it but I can't get a good photo of it.

For several years I've hatched chicken eggs and next spring I intend to hatch both chicken and duck eggs at the same time. I've talked to several people and read the literature and "how to" book that came along with the incubator. It looks like the temperature is the same and humidity is similar. Since duck eggs take a week longer, they will go in a week sooner. After a week I will add the chicken eggs and 18 days later I should be able to do lockdown and proceed as I usually do. Hopefully I will get both peeps and ducklings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

For several years I've hatched chicken eggs and next spring I intend to hatch both chicken and duck eggs at the same time. I've talked to several people and read the literature and "how to" book that came along with the incubator. It looks like the temperature is the same and humidity is similar. Since duck eggs take a week longer, they will go in a week sooner. After a week I will add the chicken eggs and 18 days later I should be able to do lockdown and proceed as I usually do. Hopefully I will get both peeps and ducklings.

@WVduckchick

 

[WVduckchick]

the first 2 pix are at 14 days the last 2 were about 5 or so

What kind of eggs? From your lines, looks like humidity could be lowered just a bit, but looks like they are doing fine.

For several years I've hatched chicken eggs and next spring I intend to hatch both chicken and duck eggs at the same time. I've talked to several people and read the literature and "how to" book that came along with the incubator. It looks like the temperature is the same and humidity is similar. Since duck eggs take a week longer, they will go in a week sooner. After a week I will add the chicken eggs and 18 days later I should be able to do lockdown and proceed as I usually do. Hopefully I will get both peeps and ducklings.

Technically, it does work, as long as the ducks are regular mallard derived ducks. (Call ducks hatch around day 26, Muscovy's around day 35). So assuming they are pekins or the like, it should be ok. And depending on what kind of chicks, some need different humidity, depending on size and shells. So while in theory it works ok, care should be taken on the types of eggs done together. One other consideration is brooding, depending on breeds, you may or may not want to put them together once they hatch. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[cherylr21]

They are Mallard/Rouen duck eggs, the humidity is between 20-25 staying closer to 20% Im not adding water but Im planning on doing as I am and upping the humidity to about 60% at lockdown and also try to keep my hands off them lol

 

[TaraRoberts]

They are Mallard/Rouen duck eggs, the humidity is between 20-25 staying closer to 20% Im not adding water but Im planning on doing as I am and upping the humidity to about 60% at lockdown and also try to keep my hands off them lol

What if the humidity is toone high and the incubators on lockdown can u open it to pull water or do u just leave it?

 

[WVduckchick]

What if the humidity is toone high and the incubators on lockdown can u open it to pull water or do u just leave it?

You can pop the lid for a second and let some out, but as long as you have no condensation, it should be fine. If it starts condensating, it needs to be dried up.

 

[cherylr21]

I think you could open the lid for a very short time??? Im thinking of maybe using a thin piece of fabric (cut down dish cloth) maybe 1/2 in wide or less and laying that in a bowl of water outside the bator and put the other end in the bato, like a wick and closely watch the humidity.

 

[WVduckchick]

Don't let folks scare the bejezzus out of you for opening the lid. I have had seramas hatching since Wednesday, and I have opened the lid at least 15 times since the first one pipped. It is not going to "instantly" kill them. I pull chicks out when there is a lull in the action... (even if they aren't fully dry! oh my!) You do need to be careful, and I only advise it when necessary, but I am very hands on, and still have good hatches.

Just my 2 cents.

@cherylr21 how are your eggs coming along?

 

[cherylr21]

Mine seem to be doing good, its day 20 today and I just candled them the eggs are almost full of darkness the only thing I could see is by the air sac I could see some little wiggling and if I tap the incubator sometimes they will wiggle too, so exciting!!!!
The air sacs look to be were they should be in size. My humidity is staying right around 20% I know that sounds low but its working so who knows