MAY Hatch-Along!!!! Let's do this!!!

[Diamond88]

Lockdown for my first hatch attempt is Friday, so just as a fair warning to everybody, I'm about to start panicking!

Once I see an internal pip, is it correct that I should wait about 24 hours before intervening? If 24 hours go by and there's still no external pip, is that when I should poke a hole in the shell?

And, how much longer should I wait after the external pip (either pipped by the duckling or poked by me) before I start chipping off the shell? Should I wait another 24 hours, and if the duckling still isn't zipping, is that when I start removing pieces of the shell?

I've done research on this, but I want to make sure that information I've read sounds accurate to experienced hatchers here. This is my first hatch, they're show quality call ducks, and I only have three eggs. So, I'm being very, very cautious and hoping for at least one duckling to make it.

 

[fowllover]

Well...this is my 1st hatch...LOL They are all in 1 styrofoam bator, but I have a little "Sunny Side Up" bator I got off e-bay that I'm thinking about using for lockdown when I can. I've got it warming up right now to put my 1st 6 into that are headed for lockdown on the 27th. After that I have eggs hatching every couple of days until June 14th. I have almost 4 dozen scheduled for lockdown on June 4th, so I will most likely move my last 2 duck eggs to the little bator when those go in lockdown. So I pretty much just have to stop turning as I go, keep humidity as low as possible when I can & raise it when I have to...I'll let you know how it goes

Look forward to hearing your outcome! Good luck!

 

[fowllover]

I have two out so far! They are cuter than chicks. Do not tell my chickens I said that.

 

[fowllover]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with my first lockdown??? I have 10 ducks in the bator and they are at day 27 tomorrow. They went into lockdown yesterday and I have seen no movement at all. Am I worrying to much?? I am just afraid that something is going to happen and I cant open the bator to find out!! Please any help of suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

Oh its tough isnt it? I have my first ducks in the bator now so I have no experience on that front but I can tell you that when I hatch the chicks, it seems like I never see anything happenning until with 24 hours of hatch day.

 

[fowllover]

Hi All!

While I wait on my ducks to hatch (May 31 time frame) I am happy to announce that I have had 9 baby chicks hatch! Tomorrow I start lock down for 9 frizzled polish chicks.

Then after that hatch I will prepare for my ducks and 18 more polish and Houdan Chicks. Yesterday I started 40 silkie eggs and tomorrow I will start 15 Copper Marans. Do you think I maybe addicted?

 

[fowllover]

Question:

Is anyone hatching their eggs in an egg carton? That process really intrigues me especially after seeing what the chicks do to the eggs in the incubator.

 

[Nsampsel]

Question:

Is anyone hatching their eggs in an egg carton? That process really intrigues me especially after seeing what the chicks do to the eggs in the incubator.

No room for cartons or racks in my bator. They are stacked!!!! Turning all 81 by hand & checking the 4 under the broody daily to retrieve the other hen's egg from under her.

 

[Foreverlovnlife]

Fowllover, thank you for the words of encourgment!! It seems like they will never get here!!! I will keep you posted on how they are doing!!

 

[mominoz]

fowllover I take mine daily when I let them out into pasture or day yards. Some people leave dummy eggs to encourage broodiness ...if they want them to sit.You need to check for fertility as the first eggs for a week or so aren't usually fertile. It is also suggested not to use eggs when drakes are moulting. If you crack an egg and it is fertile, then most of the rest for a while will be fertile.

 

[mominoz]

mrgreenjeans52. Sounds like the Mallards bred with the bibbed ducks the guy had / or it's a mutation. My Dutch Hookbills have a similar pattern as babies and they are the Bibbed ones. Similar to the Swedish Bibbed ducks. Most colors are mutitions from the Mallards anyway.