Incubating Questions Please Help!

[missred871]

Well, I have incubated chickens and 3 kinds of quail but never ducks, I am going to be putting a bunch in in just a few days, can you guys tell me how long the incubation period is, how much is the temp to be for the duration and how much for humidity and what should it be at lockdown as well. Thanks in advance

 

[momma's chickens]

Hi, they take 28 days although mine usually start to hatch a day or two early. Temp is 99.5 in forced air and I keep humidity at around 40%, I up it to around 75% on day 25. I have also had good luck hatching them with chicken eggs. Good luck!

 

[katharinad]

You didn't mention what kind of incubator you are using, and what kind of duck eggs.
Duck eggs should not be turned and just rested for the first 24 hours after arrival. After that they need to be turned about 3 times per day 180 degrees. You should not use a chicken egg turner, because duck eggs develop best laying on the side. A goose egg turner may be used, since they will be laying on their side in it. Duck eggs should be misted once per day starting with day 3 until lock down. The water needs to be around 120 degrees when using the mister. They also need to cool off for 10 minutes each day, if you use a still incubator. The cool off does not apply to a forced air incubators. I go with 45% humidity until lock down and then up to 80%. Lock down is on day 25. They should hatch around day 28. Muscovies do need longer.

 

[missred871]

Quote:
I have a forced air, its good to know not to use a chicken turner. These are my own eggs, not ordered. They are runner and pekin eggs.