Incubators

[alaskaduckgirl]

What incubator works best for ducklings? My mind is already in the works for when my ducks start laying eggs. Or should I just leave the eggs under the duck? And if I do when should I candle the eggs?

Thanks!

 

[Alaskan]

I would think that a good incubator would be a good incubator. (doesn't matter if the eggs are chicken, duck, or parrot).

None of mine have gone "properly" broody. In other words, I think that one might have wanted to go broody, but they are all too flighty, there is no way that they would sit tight.

I actually have some duck eggs in the incubator right now. They should hatch in another 10ish days.

As to candling, I used to have a very good candler (actually made for it), but it busted (due to child). Even with my best flashlight I could only tell clear vrs. not-clear. Then again, I am not sure that my flashlight is all that great.

But it doesn't really matter. If it doesn't hatch it doesn't hatch, and if it does it does.

 

[Alaskan]

oh, duh...if you do want to candle, by day 7ish it is easy to tell a clear egg from a developing egg, even with a cruddy flashlight.

 

[Wifezilla]

Go the the incubator section on BYC and look up the gopherbator. Easy to make and works fine. I made one around the same time he did. I did have humidity issues, but I live in Colorado and I found out my son had been opening the lid when I wasn't looking, so it isn't the incubator's fault

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

lots of great info here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=157493

 

[Sweetfolly]

If you're planning on doing it "right", I'd spend the $100-ish to get a Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco. It's a great little incubator at a good price that's practically idiot-proof, and comes with a 2-year warranty. I got mine last week

I was going to build my own (I'm pretty handy, my dad's a contractor), but I decided that there are too many variables - temp., humidity, drafts, the issue of turning, etc., which would have basically meant putting my eggs in jeopardy in order to test and tweak to get everything right. This way, I know I've invested in a quality machine designed by experts, and as long as I follow the handy little instruction sheet in the box, I should have great hatches!