Runner Duck Hatch-a-Long! 2021

[chicken1234]

This is my first duck hatch but that’s the information I read. I have mine on lockdown but can’t get the humidity over 60%, at least not consistently. I currently have two little hygrometers in there that I bought from amazon and they seem to read 1 or 2% from each other.

I balled up paper towel, wet it down and popped it in mine when I couldn't get my humidity up. It raised it from 60-70%. You might want to give that a try.

 

[JoJoM]

I balled up paper towel, wet it down and popped it in mine when I couldn't get my humidity up. It raised it from 60-70%. You might want to give that a try.

Thanks, I may try that. I added a Tupperware with a sponge in it and have been topping it up with hot water and was able to get it over 60 finally. I checked on one that I thought had I internally pipped early and it appears to have died but I left it in just in case. It was a large pekin egg with a huge air cell. That leaves 4 more pekin and 3 blue runner eggs. Fingers crossed for healthy duck babies. This is my third hatch, first with ducks, and I haven’t had to deal with any losses this late in the process.

I hear one chirping this morning so I may get an Easter Monday hatch!

How is your hatch going Aa?

 

[AAcres]

Thanks, I may try that. I added a Tupperware with a sponge in it and have been topping it up with hot water and was able to get it over 60 finally. I checked on one that I thought had I internally pipped early and it appears to have died but I left it in just in case. It was a large pekin egg with a huge air cell. That leaves 4 more pekin and 3 blue runner eggs. Fingers crossed for healthy duck babies. This is my third hatch, first with ducks, and I haven’t had to deal with any losses this late in the process.

I hear one chirping this morning so I may get an Easter Monday hatch!

How is your hatch going Aa?

I’m sorry you lost one. it’s always so disappointing and sad.

I’m not sure what’s going on with mine. one externally pipped yesterday morning and one other one continues to rock around but no external pips.
the other three (I have 5 eggs in total) have done nooooooothing. who knows if they are still alive in there or not.
I haven’t opened the incubator since the first day of lockdown to check the hygrometer.

so I’m sitting here on my hands waiting “patiently” haha.

edited to add that at 11am is the start of day 28. so I suppose it’s still early. My temperature hovers between 99.3-100. seems to go up and down in that range right now. My humidity is 70. should I bump this up?

 

[AAcres]

The one egg with the external pip is starting to zip!

the other ones are still doing nothing. Maybe I will check on them after this one hatches?
What do you think?

 

[JoJoM]

The one egg with the external pip is starting to zip!

the other ones are still doing nothing. Maybe I will check on them after this one hatches?
What do you think?

The zip goes quickly, doesn’t it??

I would check them, but then I’m no expert and the most impatient person ever. It there are no external pips and you’re able to get the humidity back up quickly it should be okay maybe? Or maybe wait until the experts chime in

 

[AAcres]

The zip goes quickly, doesn’t it??

I would check them, but then I’m no expert and the most impatient person ever. It there are no external pips and you’re able to get the humidity back up quickly it should be okay maybe? Or maybe wait until the experts chime in

Well it’s an hour later and he’s not out yet but has made progress and is peeping and moving around so I’m just waiting.

 

[AAcres]

@MGG so sorry to bother you. Wondering if I could get your input.
I have 5 duck eggs in the incubator, in lockdown and it’s day 28.
My temperature is resting around 99.5-100, it keeps bouncing around. and my humidity has been holding steady at 69/70.

I have one egg currently zipping. but the rest are sitting doing nothing!

I only opened the incubator once during day 25 to adjust the hygrometer. other than that the lid has been kept closed.
my temp throughout incubation was 99.3-99.7 range. my humidity was kept at around 50.

after this egg hatches should I candle the other ones today to see what’s going on?

 

[MGG]

@MGG so sorry to bother you. Wondering if I could get your input.

It's not a bother at all!!!!

after this egg hatches should I candle the other ones today to see what’s going on?

Yep! Sounds like everything else has been going perfectly, so it's time to check. Look for internal pips. You've checked the temp with a calibrated thermometer I'm guessing, right?

Happy Easter!

 

[AAcres]

It's not a bother at all!!!!

Yep! Sounds like everything else has been going perfectly, so it's time to check. Look for internal pips. You've checked the temp with a calibrated thermometer I'm guessing, right?

Happy Easter!

Thank you!
Yes, two calibrated thermometers and two calibrated hygrometers.
If I have internal pips and they are still alive, should I make safety holes?

Happy Easter to you too!

 

[AAcres]

Fresh out of the egg!