Incubating

[Mrichard0930]

I would, if you want to try to hatch it.

Ok I just decided I’m keeping this one I just put the one egg back in. I also got my milk thermometer out and checked it temp is ice water then put in the incubator and both the eco and my thermometer are exact. I’m going to hold the next 7 eggs she lays and out them in all at same time. So that one egg will be a week ahead but I assume in 7 days I can do candling and see if there’s veins to know whether to keep it in or take it out? Then I will save 4 eggs after that and store. Then once the ten day mark hits and I can do candling on the 7 additional eggs I can seek anrtyhing is happening if not I will start over with just the four. Then the next week and a half of eggs she lays I will let her try to nest. She alone now so if we leave her in pen as she was this morning she was laying on her one egg she laid out there. One more question the egg she laid out there has some soil on it can I clean that I put that egg in too?

 

[Mrichard0930]

I know that, but what I mean is are you hoping for another boy or are you not bothered whether it's a girl or boy that you hatch from their eggs?

Oh hey sorry - I don’t care what it is I am hopeful for a boy to name Donald junior but whatever hatches I’ll take. I am worried none will hatch or the opposite and a few will and if they’re all boys I assume I’ll have to try to sell them or something because even though they’re her offspring I guess when old enough maybe they’ll still mate with her and I cant have more drakes than females.

 

[Pyxis]

Ok I just decided I’m keeping this one I just put the one egg back in. I also got my milk thermometer out and checked it temp is ice water then put in the incubator and both the eco and my thermometer are exact. I’m going to hold the next 7 eggs she lays and out them in all at same time. So that one egg will be a week ahead but I assume in 7 days I can do candling and see if there’s veins to know whether to keep it in or take it out? Then I will save 4 eggs after that and store. Then once the ten day mark hits and I can do candling on the 7 additional eggs I can seek anrtyhing is happening if not I will start over with just the four. Then the next week and a half of eggs she lays I will let her try to nest. She alone now so if we leave her in pen as she was this morning she was laying on her one egg she laid out there. One more question the egg she laid out there has some soil on it can I clean that I put that egg in too?

Yes, by day seven you can candle and see life A little bit of dirt won't hurt the egg. You don't even really have to wash it. You oughtta see some of the eggs I set here during mud season.

 

[Mrichard0930]

Yes, by day seven you can candle and see life A little bit of dirt won't hurt the egg. You don't even really have to wash it. You oughtta see some of the eggs I set here during mud season.

Ok thanks - I wanting o try every egg I have so I’ll go get this one - the two in there in 7 days I’ll know what to do and if nothing I will start fresh wit her a batch of 8. But if these two have life in a week I am a little worried they will be hatching a week prior then the other 6 I put in. I guess when the time comes I’ll come back on for help and support of what to do next. I’ll go get that egg though and put it in as well. Thanks

 

[Emmaxx]

Oh hey sorry - I don’t care what it is I am hopeful for a boy to name Donald junior but whatever hatches I’ll take. I am worried none will hatch or the opposite and a few will and if they’re all boys I assume I’ll have to try to sell them or something because even though they’re her offspring I guess when old enough maybe they’ll still mate with her and I cant have more drakes than females.

I was just wondering while you were unsure of which incubator. I think 8 should be plenty, plus the ones she may sit on herself (what's her name?) if you aren't specifically looking for a boy, providing everything goes well.

I had one duckling hatch about 5 days before another 3, and that was fine hatchwise (one hatched the wrong end but it did hatch, without any help) but you have a few weeks before you really need to worry about that. At least if they both hatch they won't be lonely!

 

[Mrichard0930]

Yeah ok good cause I am sticking with this 8 eco mini. Her name is franklin lol when we got them we didn’t know sex.ok good to know hatching different times is okay I was worried it saying the need of humidity increase during lockdown and turning of other eggs. But like you said I can’t think of that yet. I’ll know in a week when we do candling and see what these two are up to if they’re alive. Thanks

 

[Emmaxx]

Yeah ok good cause I am sticking with this 8 eco mini. Her name is franklin lol when we got them we didn’t know sex.ok good to know hatching different times is okay I was worried it saying the need of humidity increase during lockdown and turning of other eggs. But like you said I can’t think of that yet. I’ll know in a week when we do candling and see what these two are up to if they’re alive. Thanks

I like Franklin! Two of my ducks have boys name too!

You will still need to think about humidity and turning etc for hatching, but that can be done nearer the time. I don't want to start talking about tracking air cells and such so early on and give you something else to worry over. I think you are right, give the two eggs in there some time to develop while you collect some more eggs and then candle them and go from there.

 

[Mrichard0930]

Web lol really ?!?! What are their names ?
Ok thank you ! It really is a lot for a first time incubator last night I was turning on and off and couldn’t decide what to do I have them in now and turning couple times a day making sure water is at the level line and temp is btwn 99.3-99.6. Once I do the candling for first time I’ll go from there what to do next because if it’s no luck I don’t even have to worry about having two uneven sets because I’ll end up loading all 8 at once. But if we see veins I’ll have to figure out from there with hopefully help from forum next steps. Thanks so much !

 

[Emmaxx]

Web lol really ?!?! What are their names ?
Ok thank you ! It really is a lot for a first time incubator last night I was turning on and off and couldn’t decide what to do I have them in now and turning couple times a day making sure water is at the level line and temp is btwn 99.3-99.6. Once I do the candling for first time I’ll go from there what to do next because if it’s no luck I don’t even have to worry about having two uneven sets because I’ll end up loading all 8 at once. But if we see veins I’ll have to figure out from there with hopefully help from forum next steps. Thanks so much !

Do you call her Franki for short? I have a Johnny and a Crispin, then Bluey and my drake Bo.

It is a lot to learn for hatching and you don't want to overload yourself with info too early on, especially as it's already a lot of emotions for you to process. Unfortunately a lot of learning comes from experience but I know this is too important for you to just chalk it up to experience if things go wrong so best to just concentrate on what you're doing at the moment.

I hope you'll keep us posted!

 

[Mrichard0930]

Lol I love them names. Johnny especially what a great duck name ! Yeah yesterday was very overwhelming I was very anxious to make decisions and was indecisive taking in all the info. I just need to calm down take my time and take each day. What imp is getting the eggs and keeping her healthy and happy to start the egg off right. I went digging with her all day for worms and fed her her own eggs shells changed her water etc. these eggs are so important. The two in incubator I keep checking like I said. When time comes in a week hopefully my mind is clearer which it started to feel clearer and hopeful today. I didn’t think it would be this hard everything reminds me of him like he had such a personality pecking at our window and always attacking his reflection in my car. It stinks but I have to finish grieving and focus on the eggs to make a Donald Jr. : )