Need help with lock down! :) duck egg

[lissygirl]

I think I may be ready for lock down, but I'm not sure what day I'm at because I rescued this egg. The mother duck who was nesting in my rose bush was killed by a wild animal. I've been candling and the last couple days all but the air cell have become opaque. There was a lot of veining, but now it's blended in with the opaque mass. Some veining is still visible. I've also seen a lot of movement inside all along, and I can still see him moving in there, but what is really noticeable is the whole egg will WOBBLE suddenly. Am I ready for lock down??? I need to know if I should stop turning him, raise the humidity and lower the temp from 99.5 to 98? Also, do I continue daily misting during lock down?? Thank you so much!! This pic is from an hour ago. (never done this before but I've studied up a lot and have read Storey's guide...) PLEASE HELP

 

[feedman77]

The way you described it sounds like the egg is within couple days from hatching.

I would lower temp and raise humidity and stop turning if I was hatching the egg.

With just being one egg should be ok but if you lock it down be sure to remove or open the vent plugs for proper air exchange.

Good luck

 

[lissygirl]

Thank you! I will start lock down tonight!

 

[lissygirl]

Update: I'm really nervous as it gets closer to hatch time, but the conditions look great, temp is between 98 and 99, and humidity is at 72%. I assembled a flashlight on a wire so I can keep candling during lockdown without opening the incubator or touching the egg. I can stick the flash light through the ventilation hole. I'm also using clear plastic tubing to funnel water in for humidity regulation without opening the lid. Keeping fingers crossed!! I only have one little guy so I know odd are against him, but he's been a survivor so far!

 

[feedman77]

How is your egg coming along

 

[lissygirl]

It's still quite wiggly, but no pip yet. When I candle it I can see a lot of movement along the bottom edge of the air cell. I'm not sure if this means the duck is pushing against the air cell? Conditions are 98-99 degrees and 71% humidity. I haven't opened the incubator. It's hard to gauge since I'm not sure if the exact day. Thanks for asking!!

 

[salsan20]

Just waiting time now which is so difficult!

 

[lissygirl]

Yes it is difficult! And it's hard not knowing what's going on in there! I am seeing a triangle shaped projection in the right corner of the air cell. Not sure if this is internal pip or just beak pushing on the air cell?

 

[salsan20]

Sounds like an internal pip, how exciting. You are lucky being able to candle without opening as I would love that!

 

[lissygirl]

My incubator has two half inch holes for ventilation. I bought a 1/4" diameter pen light and used tape to hold down the button to keep the flashlight on. Then I cut and bended a wire hangar, and taped the flash light to the end of it. I have to be careful not to accidentally knock the egg, but I can easily stick this contraption into the incubator and candle the egg through the window I might try to get a photo of what I think might be the internal pip and see what you guys think.