JUNE - JULY HATCH-ALONG!!!!!!!

[Bookworm0124]

I’m sure that I saw some duck diapers somewhere! You could have ducky sitting on your lap while you and hubby watch tv!

I doubt he or my terriers would find that anywhere near as endearing as I would ha ha ha

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Those are the dates they were put into the incubator.

So then the youngest one should probably still be turned, but the older ones are about ready for lockdown and probably don’t need to be turned... You could also hand turn these last few days so you can turn the turner off and stabilize temperature... It sounds like ducklings are leaving the Hatcher soon? Can you put your younger eggs into whichever has the most stable temperature? If you put those into the Hatcher on their side you can roll to turn. I’d you’d prefer to keep them upright, you can tilt from side to side...

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

They may have. One of the shells was mostly off. I'm pretty upset. Have such a great development rate for shipped eggs just to have three die like that. I'm going to be doing safety holes in the incubator eggs I think just in case. I was going to sell those, but with only three of the other eggs hatching I may raise them all up to pick the best of them for showing and breeding.

I’m sorry that your broody duck hatch wasn't so great! Maybe first time mama didn’t quite know what to do? I’m sitting here watching my guinea cam with first time mamas; it’s nerve wracking! How far along are your incubator eggs?

 

[Enigmius]

So then the youngest one should probably still be turned, but the older ones are about ready for lockdown and probably don’t need to be turned... You could also hand turn these last few days so you can turn the turner off and stabilize temperature... It sounds like ducklings are leaving the Hatcher soon? Can you put your younger eggs into whichever has the most stable temperature? If you put those into the Hatcher on their side you can roll to turn. I’d you’d prefer to keep them upright, you can tilt from side to side...

The more stable of the two is actually the lockdown incubator, although it has more hot/cool spots, which is weird because they are the same model and has circulating air. But yeah, I might do that tonight. The last two ducklings hatched at 7:30 this morning. Even though they look mostly dry, I figured I would wait a little later this evening. I'm still trying to decide which substrate to use in the brooder. I used pine shavings the last time I got my mail-order ducks, but I have read that this isn't the best thing to do with new-borns. I know that chopped straw is not as pleasantly fragrant nor does it have the same level of absorbing properties that wood chips do, but I wonder if it would be a bit safer for the first week or so. I just worked so hard to get here, and I would hate it if one got a gut-impaction from eating wood pieces.

 

[Bookworm0124]

I’m sorry that your broody duck hatch wasn't so great! Maybe first time mama didn’t quite know what to do? I’m sitting here watching my guinea cam with first time mamas; it’s nerve wracking! How far along are your incubator eggs?

That could be the case. I'm still going out and checking on then frequently lol. The eggs in the incubator are on day 27, pips and some.more little cracks but nothing new yet. Ducks take foreeeveeer

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

The more stable of the two is actually the lockdown incubator, although it has more hot/cool spots, which is weird because they are the same model and has circulating air. But yeah, I might do that tonight. The last two ducklings hatched at 7:30 this morning. Even though they look mostly dry, I figured I would wait a little later this evening. I'm still trying to decide which substrate to use in the brooder. I used pine shavings the last time I got my mail-order ducks, but I have read that this isn't the best thing to do with new-borns. I know that chopped straw is not as pleasantly fragrant nor does it have the same level of absorbing properties that wood chips do, but I wonder if it would be a bit safer for the first week or so. I just worked so hard to get here, and I would hate it if one got a gut-impaction from eating wood pieces.

I’m sure that you remember how fantastically messy ducklings are, so you’ll be changing it out soon anyway! I like straw, though I’ve been using shavings for the portion of the broody boxes where the chicks hang out, since you don’t need to change shavings as often. I’ve also used shavings with paper towels or rag towels over the top to discourage them from eating shavings while they figure out their food. I add chick grit to their food (the sprinkle like salt approach) from the beginning in case they eat shavings or straw...

 

[Bookworm0124]

I just saw a nose poking out!!
Good luck to everyone hatching and still waiting. I'm thoroughly addicted now lol

 

[AquaDuck]

Ducks do indeed take forever... The count at the end of day 32 here is as follows: 15 Int Pips, 3 Ext Pip (including Mr Yellow who's doing very well), 1 dead-in-shell (eggtopsy showed lots 'n lots of fluids), and most of the rest are doing good.
No ducklings today though. Maybe TOMORROW will be the day!

 

[Enigmius]

I just saw a nose poking out!!
Good luck to everyone hatching and still waiting. I'm thoroughly addicted now lol

Yay! It's so exciting to see their cute little bills poke out of the shell!

 

[Enigmius]

I’m sure that you remember how fantastically messy ducklings are, so you’ll be changing it out soon anyway! I like straw, though I’ve been using shavings for the portion of the broody boxes where the chicks hang out, since you don’t need to change shavings as often. I’ve also used shavings with paper towels or rag towels over the top to discourage them from eating shavings while they figure out their food. I add chick grit to their food (the sprinkle like salt approach) from the beginning in case they eat shavings or straw...

Oh yeah. Indeed o do remember how messy they are. But their cuteness is worth the trouble.
I think I might start with straw the first couple of days and then move to chips. I like the idea of sprinkling grit into the food. I already have some from last year, so I’ll do that as soon as I move them to the brooder.
Poor duckling has dried yolk on its back, but other than that do they look dry enough to go into the brooder in an hour or two would you think?