Panicking. Incubator smells at day 26 runner eggs

[JoTing]

Hi,

We have 2 runner ducks eggs that seemed to be developing nicely. I noticed a slight broccoli/canbbage smell from the incubator and put it down to the water/bacteria in the incubator but one of the eggs has a slight cabbage smell too. Is this a sign of early ender? We’re hoping for hatches Monday. Not sure whether to remove it or leave it in.

Thanks

 

[DiYMama540]

Have you tried candling any of the eggs? It sounds like you may have a quitter that's gone bad.

This article is great for everything incubation related, and was written by our expert @Pyxis .
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

It includes this great link to duck egg candling also!
https://www.metzerfarms.com/Candling.cfm

Best of luck with your hatch!! Hoping you have some keepers in there!

 

[JoTing]

Thanks for the information. Yes I candled it and it was too dark to see anything apart from where the air sack is it looked like there was a feathery outline of something but I guess at this point that’s expected. I’ve heard others describe a rotten egg smell, this smell is like far more like cabbage. It’s not pleasant though. Think it’s a bad sign.

 

[JoTing]

Just to update, we decided to get rid of the egg rather than risk the health of the remaining egg that we’ve seen signs of movement from. Fingers crossed for hatching early next week.

 

[DiYMama540]

hoping the rest go according to plan! Make sure to post pics when it's hatch time!