Incubating and Uncharted Territory

[Tavia Rose]

I use the tray from my incubator on bottom of cooler incubator I made so they sit up off of floor a bit. I don't have auto Turner. From what I've researched duck eggs need more of an actual turn like hand turning, but it's all a learning curve with different experience and different ideas of how it should be done.

Right. I try to give them a full rotation once a day.(the duck eggs) I will have to figure it out the same way as with the chickens. There are 5 outside right now that I'm not even gonna set or pick up until I see what the mom does. I have 3 hens a pekin nd 2 Cayugas. With a mallard Drake and a khaki campbell Drake so this should be interesting.

 

[kissezmychicken]

I didn't realize feed stores sold chicks in the fall/winter!!!???

 

[Tavia Rose]

I didn't realize feed stores sold chicks in the fall/winter!!!???

Well, we live in Central Texas. So, that could explain it. I believe it's only the hardy breeds though.

 

[Tavia Rose]

Nothing yet Tlmcq?? Or you have been busy with them? So far all 13 of mine still seem to have life. 2 are questionable, 1 duck and 1 chick but, they don't stink so I'm leaving them for now. We should get some hatching next week!

 

[Tavia Rose]

99 for temp is not too high. Does it have a fan? I keep mine at 100 but it has a fan. Humidity is supposed to be higher for lockdown n hatch. If outside breaks the inner membrane will dry out and can be too hard for them to get thru if they haven't broke it and they can't breathe. Was it's lil beak up near the air sac or was it upside down? They will suffocate like that too. Sometimes they just have trouble with the transition from breathing inside shell to outside air. Can be lots of things. Birth is hard whether hatching or otherwise.

I'm in suspense...didn't wanna bug you but how is it goin? I lost one of the chick eggs on day 13 it already had all it's down, feet, and was in the position with one foot at the forehead. I didn't take pics this time just buried him with the other two I lost last time. I have 2 ducks growing really well, and 2 questionable.One will be later than the others by a few days. Another chicken egg that is looking like nothing is growing but it doesn't have a smell so Im leaving it for now.. But, the other 9 or so chicken eggs are looking good and they are moving like crazy in those eggs. I have a lady coming to do the PT testing next week on them.

 

[Tlmcq]

I had one chick that was in wrong position and didn't make it. I started to assist but was a bit too late. The humidity in my bator at hatch was too low at some point as it was shrink wrapped. I have ducks in lockdown now. Will let you know how it goes. One doesn't seem as far progressed as the other, but was still moving well when placed in lockdown last night.

 

[Tavia Rose]

I had one chick that was in wrong position and didn't make it. I started to assist but was a bit too late. The humidity in my bator at hatch was too low at some point as it was shrink wrapped. I have ducks in lockdown now. Will let you know how it goes. One doesn't seem as far progressed as the other, but was still moving well when placed in lockdown last night.

Awwww man, I'm sorry.Can't win em all I guess. Ive tried something different this time and that's leaving the humidity alone. I'm going to add in sponges on hatch day. I haven't opened the bator much at all. Hope we get a ducky or two.

 

[Tlmcq]

Awwww man, I'm sorry.Can't win em all I guess. Ive tried something different this time and that's leaving the humidity alone. I'm going to add in sponges on hatch day. I haven't opened the bator much at all. Hope we get a ducky or two.

I don't mess with humidity until lockdown unless it goes below 25% or so. I had a problem and my hygrometer wasn't reading correctly. Think batteries must've been low cuz I had tested it before starting. It doesn't have a way to calibrate so I just have to subtract the difference. But during the hatch of the chickens I wasn't aware of this. So, hopefully this time will be better.

 

[Tavia Rose]

I don't mess with humidity until lockdown unless it goes below 25% or so. I had a problem and my hygrometer wasn't reading correctly. Think batteries must've been low cuz I had tested it before starting. It doesn't have a way to calibrate so I just have to subtract the difference. But during the hatch of the chickens I wasn't aware of this. So, hopefully this time will be better.

I know it will get better for us both. So check this out today I'm only left with 10 chicks still alive in the eggs. The duck that was moving yesterday died, another under developed chick finally died, and the other duck eggs were not growing. So, I'm going to try my best to get these 10 hatched and do the Ducks separately. There's 11 outside right now and it looks like nobody wants to mother. So as soon as the chicks hatch im going to set them.

 

[Tavia Rose]

Oh I made this thing to make sure no one suffocates this time.