Setting Duck Eggs 4/4, anyone else with me?

[SilkieSensation]

I added water to my bator this morning and the humidity has been 45-52%. I know this is too high, but will it be alright for a day or two until it settles?

That's actually ok for ducks, a bit high for chickens. If your bator has a fan you want to make sure it stays in that range. If no fan you can let it drop about 10% & still be ok.

 

[PoultryGirly]

That's actually ok for ducks, a bit high for chickens. If your bator has a fan you want to make sure it stays in that range. If no fan you can let it drop about 10% & still be ok.

Thanks. I just have a still air with no fan. I try (since my call duck eggs, when they arrived, had big air cells) to keep it up some like you advised me. Usually it's around 45%, but it dropped, so I added more water. When I add more water it usually goes up and then goes back down within a few days.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Thanks. I just have a still air with no fan. I try (since my call duck eggs, when they arrived, had big air cells) to keep it up some like you advised me. Usually it's around 45%, but it dropped, so I added more water. When I add more water it usually goes up and then goes back down within a few days.

I usually put water in a deep bowl & sit it on the screen with the eggs rather than using the trays in the bottom of the bator. It's easier to add or subtract water & keeps the same surface area of water for evaporation as long as there is always water in the bowl. If humidity is high, use a smaller diameter bowl. If it's low, add a 2nd bowl or a wider bowl. I use 1 bowl for incubation & add a 2nd at lockdown.

 

[PoultryGirly]

I usually put water in a deep bowl & sit it on the screen with the eggs rather than using the trays in the bottom of the bator. It's easier to add or subtract water & keeps the same surface area of water for evaporation as long as there is always water in the bowl. If humidity is high, use a smaller diameter bowl. If it's low, add a 2nd bowl or a wider bowl. I use 1 bowl for incubation & add a 2nd at lockdown.

That's a good idea! Maybe I should try that next hatch! Do you think it'll be okay for now?
ETA: Also, what's the HIGHEST humidity should EVER EVER EVER get to in days 1-23 for call ducks? I feel like 52% was too high... Hopefully it'll be down in the morning.

 

[SilkieSensation]

That's a good idea! Maybe I should try that next hatch! Do you think it'll be okay for now?
ETA: Also, what's the HIGHEST humidity should EVER EVER EVER get to in days 1-23 for call ducks? I feel like 52% was too high... Hopefully it'll be down in the morning.

I wouldn't go above 55%. You can let some humidity out by lifting the lid for a few seconds if it gets too high. If it drops too low you can raise it instantly by 10-20% by misting the inside of the lid with a spray bottle of hot water. Don't spray it directly on the eggs, just the lid.

 

[jmorgan]

Great info thanks guys! I'm a little worried today though, my temp dropped to 97 while I was at work. I hope they survive.

 

[SilkieSensation]

Great info thanks guys! I'm a little worried today though, my temp dropped to 97 while I was at work. I hope they survive.

Low temps are much better than high. Don't worry. Just think of it as momma broody taking her daily eat, swim & poop break.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Let me add more eggs to the incubating list. I now have my very first broody (a duck) sitting on only 5 eggs. A few days ago, she was all puffed up and I thought she was sick, but it turns out she is brooding. I just candled an egg and it's developing and it looks to be on about day 3-7. Since she was oly sitting on 3 eggs, I just now added 2 more to her clutch. This is so exciting and I hope she actually hatches these duckies, even though I already have 17 eggs in the bator!

 

[SilkieSensation]

Let me add more eggs to the incubating list. I now have my very first broody (a duck) sitting on only 5 eggs. A few days ago, she was all puffed up and I thought she was sick, but it turns out she is brooding. I just candled an egg and it's developing and it looks to be on about day 3-7. Since she was oly sitting on 3 eggs, I just now added 2 more to her clutch. This is so exciting and I hope she actually hatches these duckies, even though I already have 17 eggs in the bator!

You will have to watch when they begin to hatch. If they are spread out too far she may abandon the last few to hatch to go take care of the babies already hatched. If she does that you will have to finish them out in the bator, but she may take them back if you slip them under her at night after they hatch.

 

[PoultryGirly]

You will have to watch when they begin to hatch. If they are spread out too far she may abandon the last few to hatch to go take care of the babies already hatched. If she does that you will have to finish them out in the bator, but she may take them back if you slip them under her at night after they hatch.

Thanks! That's what I also was thinking. Good thing my bator is up and running!!!