Incubating call duck egg journal

[Quackers08]

This is just so I know whats going on during my first incubation and if anyone has any input it is welcome.

Day 16- 15/07/2012

Eggs 1,2,3: Can clearly see the embryo's moving. Hopefully they'll hatch!

Egg 4: Visible embryo but in the short time I was candling egg I detected no movement. Will wait and see until the next time I candle and just hope for the best.

Egg 5,6: Possible early death. Very large air sac and no veins. Will keep it in until it smells and goes bad.

Egg 7: Looks like an embryo but I am unsure as there is no movement or veins. Possible more recent death.

Egg 8: Same as eggs 5&6.

 

[70%cocoa]

It's an excellent idea to keep a record of each egg's progress. I also record who laid each egg and each egg's weight when laid and the date laid (written on the egg) and each egg gets an identity letter or number, also written on the egg in pencil. I record when each egg was set. I candle at 4, 7, 14, 21 and 25 days and record what I see (eg 'still going', 'stopped developing') and check air cell size and adjust humidity if needed. I record the incubator conditions too - temp, turning frequency, humidity at different stages. I do it all in Excel. Over time you can build up a picture of what works best.

Fingers crossed for your hatch!

 

[Quackers08]

Wow! Wish I'd done all that. I'll do it next time. I record how many times I turn them and when I remove infertile ones and how many I remove. Thank you only 1 more week to wait! Sooooo excited!!!!!!

 

[Quackers08]

Well it's day 26 and nothing is happening yet. There are no internal pips so should I boost the humidy and stop turning or wait until there are pips? This is so stressful!!!

 

[70%cocoa]

I'd put the humidity up and stop turning. Leave the lid on and don't worry about candling. The 28 day hatch period is just an average - some take longer. Sit tight! I would not worry at all that you have seen no action yet. Fingers crossed for you and your hatch

 

[Quackers08]

One of my babies has FINALLY hatched!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

One of my babies has FINALLY hatched!!!

 

[70%cocoa]

Oh that's great! Wonderful news!!!!

 

[Quackers08]

Cant post pics please help. My duckling is struggling to hatch on his own. Ge can't reach the shell so I took off the bits he's already cracked. I really need to know if I should crack away more just so he can get his head out?? Then he can do the rest himself?? Please let me know ASAP

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

what day of incubation are you on, and how long has the duckling been trying to hatch?