is it okey to Lockdown Duck eggs that are shadowing? - Day 22

[IrisJade]

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[HeritageFan]

Shadowing?
As in, you think you are seeing an internal pip?

I’ve certainly had duck eggs hatch several days earlier than expected, 25-26 days, though, not 22.

Sometimes early hatches are due to a recording error, the most common cause of “early” hatch is high temps in the ‘bator.
Adding a secondary thermometer (and not trusting the ‘bator readout for temp or humidity) is critical for consistent hatches.

But. That wasn’t your question.
Yes, they are fine to lock down early if you feel like they are closer than they “should” be.

I’d really check them carefully though, personally. Yes, you can stop turning them at this point but I personally would like to see at least one internal pip before I lock down “early”.

I tend to lock down my duck eggs at day 25 unless something is unusual.

Pic of internally pipped duck egg

 

[IrisJade]

Shadowing?
As in, you think you are seeing an internal pip?

I’ve certainly had duck eggs hatch several days earlier than expected, 25-26 days, though, not 22.

Sometimes early hatches are due to a recording error, the most common cause of “early” hatch is high temps in the ‘bator.
Adding a secondary thermometer (and not trusting the ‘bator readout for temp or humidity) is critical for consistent hatches.

But. That wasn’t your question.
Yes, they are fine to lock down early if you feel like they are closer than they “should” be.

I’d really check them carefully though, personally. Yes, you can stop turning them at this point but I personally would like to see at least one internal pip before I lock down “early”.

I tend to lock down my duck eggs at day 25 unless something is unusual.

Pic of internally pipped duck egg

Its very weird to describe, But its like as if something is proding into the air sac but not fully. and then i have other eggs that have internally pipped, are these 2 okey together? Should i keep the same humidity? right now its 55% like it was during the whole incubation.

 

[HeritageFan]

I usually kick my humidity up to 65% as soon as I see internal pips.

I err on the high side - I’d rather see 70 than 60% if I’m trying to hatch in the same incubator that I started with (I typically use a second incubator for hatching, but I hatch ducklings and turkey poults and sell them during the spring and summer....so it’s a pretty constant flow here)

I also highly recommend that you quickly mark the “top” of your eggs as you enter lockdown.

It makes it much easier to see who is “wobbling” without needing to open the ‘bator more than absolutely necessary.
I just put a + on the “top” side of the eggs with a pencil.

I also add a non slip mat (like you would put under a rug, cut to size) or a small towel, or anything for traction when they hatch so they don’t slip on the bottom of the bator.
Make sure you warm it up (“it” being whatever you are using for the “floor”- ), so you don’t make the temp drop (more than just by opening it up to make these quick changes) at this point. You can toss it in the dryer for a few minutes, or, warm under the heat lamp in the brooder if you are using one.
You can even use a couple of paper towels in a pinch (and they don’t need to be warmed up lol)
The humidity will spike as soon as you have some hatch, but don’t panic about that. If it gets too high.... you can either move the ones that are out to your brooder (time to have it set up and warm if it is not already set to go), or, pull the empty shells if you don’t want to pull the babies.

What kind of ducklings are you hatching?

Keep us posted
Hope you see this in the near future!