Misting duck eggs???

[Sue S]

I know it's so confusing!!!! My 1st batch that I incubated last year I did mist the eggs & had a good hatch. So, I decided to start misting with this hatch, since it worked well for me the 1st time, but I wasn't sure if it was " beginners luck" with my 1st hatch or if it was the misting that helped!!!

 

[Mosey2003]

Don't broody ducks generally leave the nest several times a day for a total period of an hour or more? I thought having a cooling period may be good (as well as misting) due to that. I guess we'll find out based on whether or not I have success with my eggs! Haha

I don't think a cooling period is bad, I just refuse to mist an egg with water But I don't really hatch ducks, so...

 

[RainbowRabbits]

I guess the idea with the spraying at hatch time is that once you crank up the humidity for hatching, the opposite effect takes place? I don't like the idea of getting the eggs wet/damp in the last 3 days, but Holderead is one of the leading authorities on ducks, so

Thank you, that makes sense! Haha, your shrug at the end.

 

[Mosey2003]

Thinking on this more, I think the reason I disagree with misting, besides the simple physics of it cooling the egg, is because it's not the same as what a broody duck would be doing. Yes, she's getting them wet, but she's pressing her body onto them as she's doing it. Thus, they aren't really cooling, it's more gradual. By the time she gets up again, I'm sure they'd be mostly dry once more. I'd still rather adjust the ambient humidity higher than directly spray an egg. Glad it works for some, but...

 

[Fishkeeper]

What if they were misted with warm water? That shouldn't cool them off as much, though evaporation means it will a little.

 

[chickens really]

Well misting is not needed nor is dropping temperature. If my air cells are too small I drop humidity for a few days and Candle to watch my cells. Proper humidity during incubation though is key...

 

[Sue S]

I've been misting the eggs for a couple days now with warm water & only letting them cool for a couple of mins. Going to candle tonight to see if it has affected the eggs at all, it does increase the humidity a bit but once the eggs dry the humidity seems to go back down. I had good success when I misted my 1st batch but not sure I'm going to continue misting this batch, I just don't like how it does cause the humidity & temp to fluctuate. So many pros & cons to misting!!!!

 

[sourland]

I'm a firm believer in 'continue doing what has worked for you in the past'.