Incubating duck egg issues in the last days of incubation.

[des7598]

So I have had the worst luck this year with hatching duck eggs. They start out beautifully. I have been monitoring the temp and the humidity. I have 1 still air and 2 circulating air. all have egg turners. I have done the candling and monitored the air sack, and movement within the eggs. everything looks great at day 20 but at day 24 the eggs look dark and there is no movement, no sounds. this last batch of 15 eggs none hatched. I had one that I was tracking was beautiful. last day of candling and it was dark. okay I assumed maybe it was just resting getting into place to hatch. it has now been 5 days past its hatching day (yes it is time to remove the egg). I have been tracking this years hatching to try to improve for next year. I currently have 7 out 15 eggs in the last batch (for the year) that are growing, there is movement, the air sac is growing. I am at day 18. So I am getting close to lock down in another week... What am I doing wrong that would cause my eggs to fail in the last days? what should I be looking for? I have tried to do research and the only think I find is humidity plays a big part. I have made sure to watch the humidity closely with this last batch. any suggestion would be great.

 

[FortCluck]

What’s the breeding stock look like?

Breeding stock nutrition is something to hone in on before you start collecting fertile eggs. I like feeding Flock Raiser due to high protein then I give them egg shells on the side.

It sounds to me like maybe your humidity might be too high between the beginning till lockdown. What humidity are you at until lockdown.

I would look for lots of movement in the eggs.

Have you ever done an eggtopsy to see what’s inside the egg?

Do you have pics you can share so we can see what you’re seeing?

 

[des7598]

well the breeding stock are all at least 8months to a year. I have not feed them flock raiser, but they do get layer feed. I have given them some egg shells and will increase more often (or aleast next year)

The humity has been between 45 to 55%. and then I try to increase it to around 60 to 65% around lockdown.

I have not done a eggtopsy (I am squeamish) but a friend and her daughter did and they said the few they looked at were fully developed.

I don't have pics, and I thought about that the other day. I use my phone flashlight for candling, but will try to think of another source of light. to get pics. (this was a thought to help my record keeping. but never put it into place.).

 

[des7598]

I am so sorry I never got pictures. out of these last 5 duck eggs I finally got one. with 2 eggs possibly still to hatch (I am hoping for atleast 1 more). I will make every attempt to always get pictures. thank you for your comments. I will always keep them in mind in the future.