Incubating Duck Eggs

[Ewe Mama2]

Hi all -

I don't know if I should post this here as it involves ducks or under incubation (since that's what it's about!)

Anyhow we are on Day 24 of a batch of Khaki Campbells. I know I have one more day of turning. Here's the thing..I'm already hearing some cheeps and seeing some rocking. Should I continue turning them through tomorrow, or should I leave them alone, figuring that they may hatch early?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DuckFanatic]

Not sure I can answer your question but be sure to post pics when they hatch!!!

 

[Wifezilla]

I would leave them alone if they are already talking to you.

 

[miss_jayne]

i second that. leave them be.

 

[TheBoonducks]

I don't know about chickens, but ducks need to remain still the last few days of incubation so they can properly position themselves to poke out, don't turn them! Also, lower the temp by about 1.5-2 degrees while they are hatching, as in after they start cheeping and rocking, they generate more heat during the hatch. Humidity is the biggest concern, ducks require a lot more moisture than chickens, if the humidity is controlled by a hygrometer it should be about 55%, or 85 degrees on a wet bulb. If you live in a dry climate you may even have to "paint" the pipped/open perimeter of the egg with warm water to prevent it from drying and shrinking around the duckling. Good luck, if they are hardy they will make it, they have so far!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Hello, if they are peeping and rocking, stop turning them. When I hear mine, they usually hatch within 48 hours or so. Mine always hatch early and I have been keeping the temps lower and lower and they still hatch early. Good Luck on the hatch!!

Go Babies Go !!

 

[Ewe Mama2]

Thanks for your help, everyone! You all are really fast with the advice! This is my first duck hatch, so I didn't know if they were different from chickens, beyond the incubation time being a week longer.

As far as keeping the temps lower, I can't really control that too easily since I'm using the preset Hovabator Genesis 1588 (I think that was the model number). The temp has been staying pretty steady at 99.7 according to the 2 thermometers I've been using.

I'm watching the humidity carefully and misting them with water from time to time, but it (the humidity) keeps bouncing around all over the place. I figure as long as they are talking to me, I must be doing ok.

The Khaki Campbells are talking, but the silver appleyards are quiet. At the last candling, the appleyards didn't look quite as far along as the KC's, so maybe they will hatch when they were supposed to (Friday/Saturday). My doe is supposed to kid any day now, so we are definitely having a population explosion at our house!

Thanks again!
Amy

 

[DuckFanatic]

My buff/runner mix duckling hatched about 6 days ago and she didn't peep until after she pipped. She is still a pretty quiet duckling.. hoping that she isn't a he.