Please send me your hatching vibes!!! *Sad Update*

[kawonu]

Our first year we hatched five calls. Our second a little over a hundred. This year only about 40. They are getting to the end and not making it around day 25.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

A friend tried over a dozen of my call eggs without success.

But my ducks managed to hatch one and I helped another that was pipped with the membrane dried around it.

I hope you have better luck next time. They are adorable little creatures!

 

[L0rraine]

Yep - I'm thinking a broody duck is the best way to hatch duck eggs. I tried under a broody chicken and had one hatch the first try and none the second. But have just had two broody ducks have fairly successful hatches. Sounds like there really are moisture issues that take a special touch.

So sorry that you lost them all though, I know how frustrating (and sad) it is.

 

[GrannySue]

Runner ducks aren't finished laying. Apparently they seldom stop!

 

[Wifezilla]

Runners lay all year round.

 

[DuckyBoys]

If it makes you feel any better I have had the same luck. Even with my runners this year. I have seriously put in at least 30 call eggs and only one has hatched so far! I did have two - but one died a week after hatching - it was so small. I guess they are just not meant to be that small?

I have a mamma on a nest and I really hope she is gonna get the job done this year like she did last. What would I do without her?

My girls are still laying here and there and I have a few more hatches coming up - but all in all a very disappointing call year.

 

[BirdBoy88]

Quote:
Oh yes i know what you mean... out of all duck eggs i have incubated calls have been my most challenging! ... they all made it up to day 25 then started dieing one by one it was weird

the little black and white ones looked so cute! to.... i wont give up though i am gonna try from you again if not this year then most definite next year

you have beautiful birds that i want in my flock.

I sure hope your hen has a great hatch! seems like that's the only way to hatch them.. maybe next year if Abby goes broody i will let her set on them

 

[cawooduck]

I have been using broody banty hens this year and have had excellent success with them being able to set up until about 3 days before hatching, then i pull the eggs and set them in the hatcher, i only had one egg that didnt hatch out. I really dont think its a moisture issue, i just watched my mandarin hen come out of the box this morning and get some food and something to drink, while she was out i peeked in the box and the eggs are pipped, so i left and she didnt bathe at all, just went back into the box and set on her eggs again.

There is definitley something majical about natural mothers, something humans rarely duplicate.

Sorry to hear about your loss, its heart breaking when you spend the time and money for a month caring for the eggs only to have them die or hatch and then die. But, its trial and error, and you did the best you can!!..............Jason