I'm having a midwifing crisis. Please help.

[farmerbrandy]

My family awoke today to find that Mrs. Mallard was taken during the night. She has been incubating her 12 eggs for 16 days. I am broken-hearted.... I've collected the nest and have put it in a small nesting box covered with all the material she was using, her down and leaf bits. There are some damp cedar shavings as well. I have a 60 watt lightbulb shining inside the box and the eggs are all covered. Is there any hope for these eggs to continue incubating? Does anyone know the temperature that they need to incubate at? I heard that turning them at least 3 times a day with small point never up should work, but I also have been told that the temp. and humidity need to be precise. Any thoughts?? Anyone seen Fly Away Home?

 

[mamanaturale]

never seen fly away home, but your temp needs to be 100-101 since you are essentially still air. 40-55% humidity. yes turn 3 times per day. good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[justusnak]

I had the same thing happen to me last year. Im so sorry. Do you know anyone with an incubator!? This would be the best way to get them to hatch. If not, the advice given before me, is good. And, good luck!

 

[farmerbrandy]

Thank you Deb and Mamanaturale! I will keep working at this and let you know how it goes. Hopefully there will be a happy ending for some ducklings...

 

[xfilesnumber1fan]

You really need an incubator! I dont know anyone that got a light bulb to work..Yes I saw Fly Away Home it is one of my favorite movies..I know she used a light bulb ...But they were ready to hatch and dont know if that would work..They were geese also..Dont know if that makes a diffence...

 

[hollymh]

I recently hatched some ducklins and kept my temp at 101 with the humidity 60-65%, ducks need higher humidity than chicks so make sure you put a bowl or sponge of water in your makeshift bator. Good luck, I hope you can get some babies!

P.s. Look on the homemade incubator forum and I bet you can find something that is better than what you're using that is simple and quick, again, best of luck to you!

 

[farmerbrandy]

Thank you so much everyone! Your posts got my brain geared toward looking for an incubator and I found one yesterday evening. The local feedstore owner had one plugged in and ready to go... hatchery to boot. So I delivered the eggs safe and sound. Hopefully they will hatch successfully and healthy in about a week. ;-)

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Quote:
I love happy endings!

 

[mamanaturale]

oh yay!

 

[CorralitosSunflower]

Remember to stop turning them on day 25 so they can orient themselves for the hatch!!!