Do your ducklings end up shrink wrapped every time?
This was my first time using a broody chicken to sit on duck eggs...2 hens are on 14 eggs. Eggs are due to hatch next sunday. Tonight one of the hen's was acting stressed, I checked in her nest and there was one of the eggs pipped (bill through the membrane) and half of the shell off but the baby was shrinkwrapped. That membrane was bone dry and tight. I wrapped the egg in a hot wet paper towel, put hot water in the incubator and cranked it up. A little while ago the baby successfully hatched out of the membrane.
I realize that a broody duck will get wet and that keeps the eggs moist however a chicken is not going to get wet so how do you all deal with that, or is it not normally a problem? I'd love to hear your experiences.
Michelle
This was my first time using a broody chicken to sit on duck eggs...2 hens are on 14 eggs. Eggs are due to hatch next sunday. Tonight one of the hen's was acting stressed, I checked in her nest and there was one of the eggs pipped (bill through the membrane) and half of the shell off but the baby was shrinkwrapped. That membrane was bone dry and tight. I wrapped the egg in a hot wet paper towel, put hot water in the incubator and cranked it up. A little while ago the baby successfully hatched out of the membrane.
I realize that a broody duck will get wet and that keeps the eggs moist however a chicken is not going to get wet so how do you all deal with that, or is it not normally a problem? I'd love to hear your experiences.
Michelle