Incubating and Uncharted Territory

[Tlmcq]

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.

Yes, it takes a bit of a learning curve to incubate without a hen. My first incubator was also not good, but I was able to use parts for my homemade one such as fan and thermostat. It takes a bit I think to learn your incubator and what exactly your humidity and heat need to be in order to get best hatch rates. There are so many different things that work for different people and circumstances. I think with my last batch my problem came when I had to turn a/c back on in my house 2 weeks in. It totally sucked a lot of the moisture in the air due to it running. This time inside has been steady since beginning so I'm hoping will be better, since have had everything steady throughout.

 

[Tavia Rose]

Yes, it takes a bit of a learning curve to incubate without a hen. My first incubator was also not good, but I was able to use parts for my homemade one such as fan and thermostat. It takes a bit I think to learn your incubator and what exactly your humidity and heat need to be in order to get best hatch rates. There are so many different things that work for different people and circumstances. I think with my last batch my problem came when I had to turn a/c back on in my house 2 weeks in. It totally sucked a lot of the moisture in the air due to it running. This time inside has been steady since beginning so I'm hoping will be better, since have had everything steady throughout.

Definitely, I've finally got mine ok. Texas weather is up and down and I live in an older wooden house..There's no drafts that I can feel but it changes with the outside weather. I came home today nd the temp was higher than its been bc the weather was cool last night this morning so I bumped it up a bit it was reading 103 on the digital and 101 on the Accurite and 108 on the incubator display. Smh

 

[Tavia Rose]

Currently I'm assisting. 1 was dead already..one was breech but died while I was trying to get it out. One was internally pipped two days ago but still not a pip. So, bc of what happened last time I went in..there's another i believe is breeches but my nerves are too racked to try helping.

The one I did help is currently moving really strong and going back to sleep.

I gave him a bit of electrolyte in a syringe. He's pretty much all the way out now I just have the lower shell left bc it seemed attached but yolk is fully absorbed.

 

[Tavia Rose]

Almost 72 hours later and my little fighter Prime lived. I found the other 2 shrink wrapped, and one had a feathery third leg growing and it looked like it was a stub of another bird..I tried helping it anyway but it died shortly after. Prime curled up next to him and laid down..cutest and saddest thing ever. 1 had nothing in it, and the one duck egg that developed died, he only had a week to go. Prime was very weak. He is now drinking on his own and eating a little. But, the best part is that he walks. My humididy went down while i was at work. Last time it was a power outage and now this...sucks to have to work and try this. I'm not trying anymore chickens until next spring when I can buy a better incubator and set up some things that I can monitor it away from home. I am going to do the duck eggs that are out there because I hate tossing good fertile eggs and I picked um up too late for anyone to eat them because I thought the mom would do her job.

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[Tlmcq]

I had one lil duck successfully hatch. I still have eggs in incubator but they have 2 weeks to go..we shall see. The other 2 that were hatching with this guy didn't make it. One was a double yolk and I didn't catch it in candle before setting. He was fully developed but didn't make it cuz of the other yolk causing complications. The other I'm not quite sure what happened he DIS sometime during lockdown. But, here's the little fighter that made it.

 

[Tavia Rose]

I had one lil duck successfully hatch. I still have eggs in incubator but they have 2 weeks to go..we shall see. The other 2 that were hatching with this guy didn't make it. One was a double yolk and I didn't catch it in candle before setting. He was fully developed but didn't make it cuz of the other yolk causing complications. The other I'm not quite sure what happened he DIS sometime during lockdown. But, here's the little fighter that made it.View attachment 1170821View attachment 1170822

Awwee...he's so cute. I hope the others hatch for you...I just sat about 8 ducks and 1 chicken..because I want the other crossbreed I lost. Prime is still kicking. We just bought 4 Jersey Giant babies to be with him and they are only a day old and they are bigger than he is.

 

[Tlmcq]

Yes Jersey Giants are big. I have one hen...she's cool. Lays the prettiest large brown egg almost everyday. I can always tell her eggs cuz they're eggs are a medium brown that's darker than my RIR or BSL chickens and the shape is so perfect...I like her a lot.

 

[Tavia Rose]

Yes Jersey Giants are big. I have one hen...she's cool. Lays the prettiest large brown egg almost everyday. I can always tell her eggs cuz they're eggs are a medium brown that's darker than my RIR or BSL chickens and the shape is so perfect...I like her a lot.

Awesome. My dad got them because we will be moving roosters and bigger birds out the town into the country soon and he wants birds who will be able to kick up a lil dust if needed.