No activity at all 14 hrs after first pip!

[Betsy Love]

Can anyone help? We had a beautiful duck nesting in our garden, sadly a possum killed her... despite my nightly vigils with a broom & a hose! We rescued 6 eggs & kept them in a home made foil lined box with a lamp till we managed to borrow a Brinsea incubator. We made so many rookie mistakes, they didn't turn for 3 days as we didn't realise eggs were too big for incubator, and we had to guess how far along they were, but candling every evening showed movement inside 3 (sadly 3 died) We thought we had a few more days, but miraculously two of them started pipping last night, found that out when we took them out to candle them. I am so worried that we kept them out for too long as we were topping up water & changing out the egg insert, think i messed up the humidity. Unfortunately there is no humidity reading on this incubator. They have not moved & there has been no more cracking in the shell for 14 hours, should we do something? Also the temperture went down to 97.4 overnight, but is up to 98.6 now. So worried about opening the incubator.

 

[MGG]

Can anyone help? We had a beautiful duck nesting in our garden, sadly a possum killed her... despite my nightly vigils with a broom & a hose! We rescued 6 eggs & kept them in a home made foil lined box with a lamp till we managed to borrow a Brinsea incubator. We made so many rookie mistakes, they didn't turn for 3 days as we didn't realise eggs were too big for incubator, and we had to guess how far along they were, but candling every evening showed movement inside 3 (sadly 3 died) We thought we had a few more days, but miraculously two of them started pipping last night, found that out when we took them out to candle them. I am so worried that we kept them out for too long as we were topping up water & changing out the egg insert, think i messed up the humidity. Unfortunately there is no humidity reading on this incubator. They have not moved & there has been no more cracking in the shell for 14 hours, should we do something? Also the temperture went down to 97.4 overnight, but is up to 98.6 now. So worried about opening the incubator.

No, don't do anything. Ducks take forever to hatch. Give them at least 36 hours with no progress. Are these mallard eggs? They're illegal to have. Can you take them to a rehabber as soon as they hatch? Did you have the eggs out after they pipped? That's not good. You need to find a hydrometer. It's critical to know what the humidity is in there.

 

[chickens really]

Keep waiting. Can take over 24 hours after piping.

 

[Betsy Love]

No, don't do anything. Ducks take forever to hatch. Give them at least 36 hours with no progress. Are these mallard eggs? They're illegal to have. Can you take them to a rehabber as soon as they hatch? Did you have the eggs out after they pipped? That's not good. You need to find a hydrometer. It's critical to know what the humidity is in there.

We took them out to candle them & saw the little star shaped hole in one & slightly bigger crack in the other, hope we haven't hurt them! They are mallards, but think we have found someone to take them. To be honest we never really expected them to get this far, but were so in love with their mama it seemed heartless to get rid of them. Not sure how to get my hands on a hydrometer in the next 24 hours but will try. Raising ducks is not for the faint hearted!

 

[MGG]

We took them out to candle them & saw the little star shaped hole in one & slightly bigger crack in the other, hope we haven't hurt them! They are mallards, but think we have found someone to take them. To be honest we never really expected them to get this far, but were so in love with their mama it seemed heartless to get rid of them. Not sure how to get my hands on a hydrometer in the next 24 hours but will try. Raising ducks is not for the faint hearted!

Hopefully they weren't out for too long then. Are these ducks wild? If so, you'll have to give them to a rehabber. Wild mallards can't be kept as pets, only domestic mallards. Wal-mart has little hydrometers, if you live in the US.

 

[Betsy Love]

We will definitely not be keeping the ducklings if they hatch, I just don't want them to die. One of the eggs is a little more promising now & we can hear cheeping, the other one still has no change. The third hasn't pipped yet so we are hoping it is ok.
We were 'adopted' by the parent ducks 3 months ago, they simply moved into our front yard at first, then they would walk through the house everytime the door was left open, we shooed them out but they would always creep back in when my back was turned, sometimes even pecking at the window to be let in! My children were delighted.. until i made them clean up the poop! Eventually they relocated to the back yard. They were the friendliest sweetest creatures, we felt so lucky to see them every day & were so excited when she made a nest, secretly hoping that when it was time for them to leave she would march those little ducklings right through the house, the kids would have gladly cleaned up that mess! The morning she was killed her mate was super distressed & flew away, it was heart breaking. The eggs were still a little warm so we called wildlife services but they told us to dispose of the eggs. I am sorry, I know they are wild but I couldn't do that, I have found a friend of a friend who raises ducks & is willing to take them.. if by some miracle they survive the hatch.
If a passing couple of mallards come to my front door next year i will pretend to be out..

 

[MGG]

We will definitely not be keeping the ducklings if they hatch, I just don't want them to die. One of the eggs is a little more promising now & we can hear cheeping, the other one still has no change. The third hasn't pipped yet so we are hoping it is ok.
We were 'adopted' by the parent ducks 3 months ago, they simply moved into our front yard at first, then they would walk through the house everytime the door was left open, we shooed them out but they would always creep back in when my back was turned, sometimes even pecking at the window to be let in! My children were delighted.. until i made them clean up the poop! Eventually they relocated to the back yard. They were the friendliest sweetest creatures, we felt so lucky to see them every day & were so excited when she made a nest, secretly hoping that when it was time for them to leave she would march those little ducklings right through the house, the kids would have gladly cleaned up that mess! The morning she was killed her mate was super distressed & flew away, it was heart breaking. The eggs were still a little warm so we called wildlife services but they told us to dispose of the eggs. I am sorry, I know they are wild but I couldn't do that, I have found a friend of a friend who raises ducks & is willing to take them.. if by some miracle they survive the hatch.
If a passing couple of mallards come to my front door next year i will pretend to be out..

Thays an awesome story. Good on you for taking those babies in. I just don't want you to get in any trouble for having them, and if you did I would feel horrible for not bringing it up. Sounds like those were some really sweet mallards. Sorry about then hen. Ducks are special creatures. I'm here to answer any questions about your babies. You're doing awesome!

 

[Betsy Love]

UPDATE!! After almost giving up on the eggs, we came down this morning to a fluffy healthy and really quite big duckling and a couple of hours later along came another! They are so beautiful. The best bit is that the third egg we thought was a goner has just pipped. I made so many mistakes on this journey, I was convinced I had ruined their chances - these babies are little miracles. Thank you for your advice, i am in awe of you for raising & caring for these lovely creatures!

 

[MGG]

UPDATE!! After almost giving up on the eggs, we came down this morning to a fluffy healthy and really quite big duckling and a couple of hours later along came another! They are so beautiful. The best bit is that the third egg we thought was a goner has just pipped. I made so many mistakes on this journey, I was convinced I had ruined their chances - these babies are little miracles. Thank you for your advice, i am in awe of you for raising & caring for these lovely creatures!

That's wonderful! You did a great job! ❤
Congrats on your new babies!