Shaws call duck incubation thread (hatch a wonderful(worthless to Ralphie) dux thread)

[shawluvsbirds]

I figure since I am opening it to hand turn the eggs anyway.. . I just may as well have a look see while I am at it. See how easily I can rationalise that out in my head?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I think ralphie is absolutely right, but incubating preferences could be compared to how people raise their kids, some say dirt builds immunity, some say it has diseases...
while obviously human to duck germs could be harmful to developing embryos, we know once they hatch they're typically pretty immune.

Stuff to ponder.. sterile incubation is always good, not always achievable.

People germs gross me out way more than animal germs. I've never caught a cold from my dog cat or duck.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I think ralphie is absolutely right, but incubating preferences could be compared to how people raise their kids, some say dirt builds immunity, some say it has diseases...
while obviously human to duck germs could be harmful to developing embryos, we know once they hatch they're typically pretty immune.

Stuff to ponder.. sterile incubation is always good, not always achievable.

Well put!
It certainly isn't doable in my setting.. But I do keep my hands clean and clean my incubators between uses.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I figure since I am opening it to hand turn the eggs anyway.. . I just may as well have a look see while I am at it. See how easily I can rationalise that out in my head?

SMH Shawsie!

People germs gross me out way more than animal germs. I've never caught a cold from my dog cat or duck.

True that!

 

[iluvsedward]

I figure since I am opening it to hand turn the eggs anyway.. . I just may as well have a look see while I am at it. See how easily I can rationalise that out in my head?

Exactly! I hand turn as well. i consider candling to be a "cool down" period, though I dont implement one on days when I dont candle. Or if my incubator spikes a little, Ill candle to help cool them down.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

very impressed with my less than 5 dollar hygrometer. It's been about 5 hours. . finally something reads at least almost perfect! The digital one reads 66. But. . I guess I can work with that.

 

[WVduckchick]

I think ralphie is absolutely right, but incubating preferences could be compared to how people raise their kids, some say dirt builds immunity, some say it has diseases...
while obviously human to duck germs could be harmful to developing embryos, we know once they hatch they're typically pretty immune.

It's stuff to ponder... an embryo that dies because of human bacteria could be considered natural selection with the favor being for more hardy ducks... a concrete assertion would be that sterile incubation is always good, though not always achievable.

@iluvsedward what's your hatch due date? Mine is March 31/April 1st.

 

[WVduckchick]

View attachment 1305974 very impressed with my less than 5 dollar hygrometer. It's been about 5 hours. . finally something reads at least almost perfect! The digital one reads 66. But. . I guess I can work with that.

I need one of those. How big is it?

 

[CayugaJana]

View attachment 1305974 very impressed with my less than 5 dollar hygrometer. It's been about 5 hours. . finally something reads at least almost perfect! The digital one reads 66. But. . I guess I can work with that.

Yes do tell. Where did you get it?

 

[BantyChooks]

I am very very "anal" about my hatching, I never touch the eggs once they are disinfected and placed in the sterile incubator, without a tight routine of sterile gloves. I seldom candle on more than on day 18 of a hatch...

Every time you touch an egg you risk infection to the embryo and a chance to hurt the developing egg...This is not a dux thing this is just a good hygiene thingy..

I figure since I am opening it to hand turn the eggs anyway.. . I just may as well have a look see while I am at it. See how easily I can rationalise that out in my head?

X2 that.
I candle when I turn the eggs right before bed. I figure that setting a clean rubber candler tip on the eggs can't possibly kill them. I don't have to touch the eggs so no guilt there.
There would definitely be more potential for harm or accident in a cabinet rather than a table top like we use.
So far I've candled these shipped quail eggs once a day. Currently standing at an 82% survival rate and they'll go into lockdown today or tomorrow.