Incubating Muscovy Eggs Progress

[Ren2014]

Phew! yes I still have pretty much 2 weeks left until hatch, so I'll just keep it dry and hope for the best until then glad I noticed this earlier than later when it's too late! Thanks for easing my mind hahah



Yep, thats why I put a little water cup near the eggs instead of down underneath in the tray, it's much more controllable when it's in something you can easily take out or add to etc. I'm not too sure what to do now though, I left the bator dry all night, but the humidity got down to 35%, is that still okay? or should I add a few drops of water inside to up it to 40%.

I run mine dry (30-40) until the first internal pip and then add water and keep it at high 70 to 80%. I think you are fine at 35 right now.

 

[WVduckchick]

Phew! yes I still have pretty much 2 weeks left until hatch, so I'll just keep it dry and hope for the best until then glad I noticed this earlier than later when it's too late! Thanks for easing my mind hahah


 


Yep, thats why I put a little water cup near the eggs instead of down underneath in the tray, it's much more controllable when it's in something you can easily take out or add to etc. I'm not too sure what to do now though, I left the bator dry all night, but the humidity got down to 35%, is that still okay? or should I add a few drops of water inside to up it to 40%.

Yep I agree with Ren! I'd leave it.

 

[Blacklotus]

I run mine dry (30-40) until the first internal pip and then add water and keep it at high 70 to 80%. I think you are fine at 35 right now.

Yep I agree with Ren! I'd leave it.

Ok will do guys, thanks.. will let you know how the air cells go in a couple of days!

 

[Blacklotus]

Ok, bit of an update.. have kept no water at all in the incubator, humidity has been stable at 30% which is great, and I have been misting and cooling once a day. The cells have grown a little bit, but I'm hoping they grow a LOT more for hatch time! because they are still much smaller. Some eggs cells are growing much faster than others for some reason, and some look like they haven't even changed a bit. Starting to worry that I will need to help them at hatch, and I seriously want to avoid that at all costs. Has anyone had successful hatches with chicks, even with a smallish air sac? what happens exactly?

Day 26 - Getting closer!
In person, I can see the eggs wobbling as they move around inside.. such big babies now

~~~

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok, bit of an update.. have kept no water at all in the incubator, humidity has been stable at 30% which is great, and I have been misting and cooling once a day. The cells have grown a little bit, but I'm hoping they grow a LOT more for hatch time! because they are still much smaller. Some eggs cells are growing much faster than others for some reason, and some look like they haven't even changed a bit. Starting to worry that I will need to help them at hatch, and I seriously want to avoid that at all costs. Has anyone had successful hatches with chicks, even with a smallish air sac? what happens exactly?

Day 26 - Getting closer!
In person, I can see the eggs wobbling as they move around inside.. such big babies now

~~~

You still have 10days or more so they still have time to adjust. Hope @Ren2014 can help on questions.

 

[WVduckchick]

Ok, bit of an update.. have kept no water at all in the incubator, humidity has been stable at 30% which is great, and I have been misting and cooling once a day. The cells have grown a little bit, but I'm hoping they grow a LOT more for hatch time! because they are still much smaller. Some eggs cells are growing much faster than others for some reason, and some look like they haven't even changed a bit. Starting to worry that I will need to help them at hatch, and I seriously want to avoid that at all costs. Has anyone had successful hatches with chicks, even with a smallish air sac? what happens exactly?

Day 26 - Getting closer!
In person, I can see the eggs wobbling as they move around inside.. such big babies now

~~~

They really aren't that bad, and they will lose more in the days still to come. I think they will be ok.

Just a few of the main issues concerning small air cells....
1. the chick/duckling can grow too large, which results in it not being able to rotate and get out of the shell.
2. when it does internally pip, it has less air to breathe, and can run out before its ready to proceed to external pip.
3. when they do hatch, there is usually some extra fluids still in the shell with them, and can make them really sticky and gooey. If this happens, pay special attention around the eyes and nares, so that the goo doesn't crust over.

But yes, they can still hatch on their own.

You still have 10days or more so they still have time to adjust. Hope @Ren2014 can help on questions.

x2

 

[Ren2014]

They really aren't that bad, and they will lose more in the days still to come. I think they will be ok.

Just a few of the main issues concerning small air cells....
1. the chick/duckling can grow too large, which results in it not being able to rotate and get out of the shell.
2. when it does internally pip, it has less air to breathe, and can run out before its ready to proceed to external pip.
3. when they do hatch, there is usually some extra fluids still in the shell with them, and can make them really sticky and gooey. If this happens, pay special attention around the eyes and nares, so that the goo doesn't crust over.

But yes, they can still hatch on their own.



x2

x3

 

[Blacklotus]

Well great news today!

Did a quick check of the eggs, and their air cells have grown so much overnight! I'm not sure why, maybe it was a dry night... but they are catching up much quicker now. I also think my misting has helped heaps, with sucking out the moisture. If they catch up to their ideal size before lockdown, ill put a tiny bit of water back in the bator. Also, what would you recommend for lockdown? I was thinking between 60-70% humidity? Lockdown is in 4 or 5 days.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well great news today!

Did a quick check of the eggs, and their air cells have grown so much overnight! I'm not sure why, maybe it was a dry night... but they are catching up much quicker now. I also think my misting has helped heaps, with sucking out the moisture. If they catch up to their ideal size before lockdown, ill put a tiny bit of water back in the bator. Also, what would you recommend for lockdown? I was thinking between 60-70% humidity? Lockdown is in 4 or 5 days.

@Ren2014 Great news by the way!!

 

[Ren2014]

Well great news today!

Did a quick check of the eggs, and their air cells have grown so much overnight! I'm not sure why, maybe it was a dry night... but they are catching up much quicker now. I also think my misting has helped heaps, with sucking out the moisture. If they catch up to their ideal size before lockdown, ill put a tiny bit of water back in the bator. Also, what would you recommend for lockdown? I was thinking between 60-70% humidity? Lockdown is in 4 or 5 days.

@Ren2014 Great news by the way!!

X2

I don't really 'lock down.' I candle all the way up to internal pip and increase humidity to high 70-80 when I see the first internal pip.

for ya. Can't wait to hear how it goes