Mallard Incubating Stress

[Saigey]

Trying to get the temp/humidity right to get ready for my rescue mallard to pip into the air cell. I think it might have gotten too hot at one point but not for very long. Mostly under temperature if anything. 97° F while I was trying to adjust humidity. I put a clean water diffuser in there and that helped with humidity, but the egg movement slowed, so I removed it. It doesn't seem to be moving inside and just won't pip that air cell. Meanwhile, I'm pulling my hair out, worried that I've somehow murdered a duck embryo. A light showing through the air cell (you can only see through the air cell) doesn't show any ruptured blood vessels.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Trying to get the temp/humidity right to get ready for my rescue mallard to pip into the air cell. I think it might have gotten too hot at one point but not for very long. Mostly under temperature if anything. 97° F while I was trying to adjust humidity. I put a clean water diffuser in there and that helped with humidity, but the egg movement slowed, so I removed it. It doesn't seem to be moving inside and just won't pip that air cell. Meanwhile, I'm pulling my hair out, worried that I've somehow murdered a duck embryo. A light showing through the air cell (you can only see through the air cell) doesn't show any ruptured blood vessels.

Chances are it's resting, building up its strength in preparation for the hatch.

If you've never hatched ducks before, don't freak out if it takes over 24 hours. They're slow to hatch and then zoom! They grow like weeds and are full of energy.

Good luck!

 

[Saigey]

Chances are it's resting, building up its strength in preparation for the hatch.

If you've never hatched ducks before, don't freak out if it takes over 24 hours. They're slow to hatch and then zoom! They grow like weeds and are full of energy.

Good luck!

Thank you SO much for your reply! I have indeed been freaking out. I've never even thought about hatching before. This has been a rescue from abandoned nest. The other two failed to develop. If he (it) hatches, I plan to get him companions, but the big "if" is making me go grey haired.

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Thank you SO much for your reply! I have indeed been freaking out. I've never even thought about hatching before. This has been a rescue from abandoned nest. The other two failed to develop. If he (it) hatches, I plan to get him companions, but the big "if" is making me go grey haired.

Lol.
The humidity doesn't have to be exact. Just within range.
First hatches are always stressful. Just sit back, watch and be totally awed.

 

[Saigey]

Lol.
The humidity doesn't have to be exact. Just within range.
First hatches are always stressful. Just sit back, watch and be totally awed.

Thanks again! I think I've finally got a satisfactory temp and humidity range, so I'm doing my best to take your advice lol. Over the past month I've learned so much about duck embryos, I swear. The other two didn't develop, so I'm really rooting for this little one. He's made it this far, just a little more to go!

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Keep me posted, but don't worry, it's going to take quite a while.

 

[Saigey]

Keep me posted, but don't worry, it's going to take quite a while.

I decided he didn't like something about the water diffuser, so I removed it and added more damp squares of cut up towels. I also changed the bulb from a 65 watt track light to a 75 watt bulb made for heating. The red is supposed to reduce stress for them, anyway. I'm going to monitor the humidity and otherwise try and leave the poor little baby alone lol. Thanks for your advice!

 

[chickens really]

Temp should be around 99.5 and still air is around 101
Humidity needs to be about 70% so the membrane doesn't dry out during lockdown..

 

[Saigey]

Temp should be around 99.5 and still air is around 101
Humidity needs to be about 70% so the membrane doesn't dry out during lockdown..

We're pretty close to that. Temp is around 98°F and humidity is about 65%. Once pipping FINALLY happens I plan to bump up the humidity a little.

 

[Saigey]

I decided he didn't like something about the water diffuser, so I removed it and added more damp squares of cut up towels. I also changed the bulb from a 65 watt track light to a 75 watt bulb made for heating. The red is supposed to reduce stress for them, anyway. I'm going to monitor the humidity and otherwise try and leave the poor little baby alone lol. Thanks for your advice!

Okay I do not like the way this looks. Do I poke rescue holes? Help!!!