Incubating duck eggs

[CricketR4]

Just put 15 eggs in the incubator today from my Indian Runner girls. Can't wait to see how many will hatch! I know chicken eggs need to be turned about 3 times a day at first, but is it the same with duck eggs?

 

[Apyl]

If your not sure, please google it and maybe print out the directions to duck egg incubation that way you'll have a reference on hand, plus it will increase your hatch rate if your 100% sure what to do.. But yes please turn your eggs an odd number of times a day (min 3).

 

[CricketR4]

Ah, but Google does have its faults. I did Google it, but got mixed reviews, so to be on the safe side, i figured to ask here too. Better safe than sorry in my opinion. I never rely entirely on Google or bing.

 

[Apyl]

Ah, but Google does have its faults. I did Google it, but got mixed reviews, so to be on the safe side, i figured to ask here too. Better safe than sorry in my opinion. I never rely entirely on Google or bing.

Its not google you have to worry about, its only a search engine, its the sites like "wiki"anything or personal blogs. I'm putting together a Poultry Binder for 4-H currently and I only use google as my search engine. The best sites to check out are accredited sites like universities or associaitons like the APA. They give great info and usually have reference links. Good luck on your hatch

 

[CricketR4]

Thanks! And I know that it's not google or bing I need to worry about, it's my own judgement.

I do still like to hear what actual people have to say, not just read something out of an article. I'm the type to read, research and ask people before I make decisions in anything, including when and if to rotate duck eggs while incubating.

 

[CricketR4]

Hubby wants to candle the eggs on Sunday, which would be day 7 in the bator. Everything I've read says wait till day 9. Is there really that much of a difference in two days, or can I "let" him candle on day 7 and be able to rely on those "results"? I've also read that candling too often could damage the developing eyes, is this true?

 

[CricketR4]

Hubby read that the eggs should be misted, but everything I've read says not necessary to mist and then only in the last few days of incubation. I'm not sure who's correct on this... any help would be appreciated.

 

[tajuano]

Did you candle the eggs, how is progress? Last year one of my chickens went broody, so I give her couple of duck eggs to sit on, we had all of them hatched. So, I would assume that it would be not much difference then chicken eggs. But every information resource talks about high humidity. So, would you please share your experience, I am planing on making my own incubator and hatching duck eggs this weekend.

 

[Keystone Waterfowl]

Hubby wants to candle the eggs on Sunday, which would be day 7 in the bator. Everything I've read says wait till day 9. Is there really that much of a difference in two days, or can I "let" him candle on day 7 and be able to rely on those "results"? I've also read that candling too often could damage the developing eyes, is this true?

I candle mine on Day 7. I load up the incubator once a week and it is just easier for me to remember to candle the ones that I put in last week when I put the new ones in this week.

 

[CricketR4]

Candled eggs...we've got 12 out of 15 that are developing nicely. Just checked the calendar and they should be ready to hatch on St. Patricks Day!! So excited! Just need to get the brooder set up this week, and then we'll be ready for babies!