Pipping ancona duck eggs!!! Support appreciated =]

[mandabach]

I'm trying to relax but I'm excited and worried.

I have four beautiful pyramids:

My concerns: How long might it take til they get all the way pipped?

I'm seeing different things on humidity. As you can see I have a sponge in there to boost it. But I've heard too humid is bad! I thought it couldn't really be too humid because they will "shrink wrap" if they get too dry.

From that, what about opening the bator? People talk about candling and all kinds of interventions in what is also called lock down and many make it seem like if I open up a crack my babies will instantly SHRINK WRAP.

On lacrystol 's advice I've brought humidity down from 80ish . I'm at 70% & 99 degrees right now

I'm so excited for my babies I don't want to lose them. <3.

 

[calichicken]

Try to keep your bator closed unless you need to go in. Definitely get some advice on humidity because that's where I went wrong...I had too much and mine didn't make it to hatch

 

[mandabach]

Cali, how humid did you go?

 

[mandabach]

Try to keep your bator closed unless you need to go in. Definitely get some advice on humidity because that's where I went wrong...I had too much and mine didn't make it to hatch

I'm sorry, Cali! That's really sad. :'(

I'm down to 67% now.
Thanks for writing.

 

[calichicken]

I'm sorry, Cali! That's really sad. :'(

I'm down to 67% now.
Thanks for writing.

Thanks!!! Yes...LOT's of tears

Unfortunately it was a classroom hatch and my equipment wasn't the best...so monitoring humidity was difficult. Wanna invest in a good thermometer and something to monitor humidity. No clue what it's called..LOL It is the first year since I have done classroom hatching that I had a problem....so sad!!!!

 

[mandabach]

The science teacher at my school had a similar experience with the incubator I'm using. I don't know why, but I had problems with the wet/dry bulb thermometers and the turner arm got stuck at the 6:35 position every two hours, so I had to hand turn as well.

It's a rough lesson for kids as well as the teacher, but I hope you try again!

 

[calichicken]

I definitely am...I have a pre-k/kinder special education class so our eggs "hatched" over the weekend....I was able to borrow ducklings from the place I got the eggs thank goodness!!! My little ones are ready to understand yet

 

[mandabach]

Dual pipping, or the start of unzipping?

This is my first hatch--I was expecting to see holes all the way through, not just pyramids.

These guys are whistling and peeping and most (4/7) have made other cracks or divots popping out near or adjacent to their first pips.

It's 11:10 pm mountain time and I saw the first pips at 8:00 am.

Might I waken to a duckling or two?!?!?

 

[mandabach]

530 AM--Progress!

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[mandabach]

Pippin has unzipped all the way.
Membrane looking dry on top.
Should I mist a little?