Movement slowing in incubated egg

[Sparty75]

Hi there!

I'm new to incubating duck eggs! Due date is next Tuesday. When I candle I notice just a little movement - I'm hoping it's due to running out of space? Probably a silly question but I'm anxious and hopeful that my three eggs I'm incubating make it!

 

[Ebony Rose]

I'm new to incubating duck eggs! Due date is next Tuesday. When I candle I notice just a little movement.

They have been known to rest up to 24 hours (usually less) between hatching stages, think of it as them 'catching their breath'. So you can expect a big rest before pipping, a big rest after internal pipping (into the air sac), another big rest after external pip, another big rest after zipping (cutting their shell in half, making a door), a rest after kicking (the eggshell off of themselves), and another well deserved rest once all that dirty work is done! In 2 days, candle them for the last time before hatch, increase humidity and lock them down (stop turning eggs and don't open the incubator (I know you wanna, but don't)). I know you'll be tempted to open the incubator during lockdown... stop. When you open it, you lose humidity which could cause the internal membrane on the egg to "shrink wrap" the unhatched chicks making it impossible for them to move, which makes it impossible for them to hatch. If you really feel you must open the incubator, weigh the risk, and if you still feel that you must, open it, grab egg that needs help, close it... bam... fast as you can to preserve the precious humidity needed for them babies to hatch. Resist the urge to help a "struggling" hatchling; it could just be resting between phases. If you're really worried about something, snap and upload a photo and describe the situation to the forum for some expert advice (I'm not an expert, but I'm happy to share what I've learned). Worry less, you've got them on the brink of hatch day

 

[Sparty75]

Thanks so much!! I so appreciate your advice!! It's going to be so hard during lock down not to look at them! I'll have to put a lock on it ;-). I'm so hopeful and I can't wait!!!!