Should it take this long?

[Thatcher R]

Hi there, this is my first time incubating eggs. I have six call duck eggs that are in the incubator on hatch day,(today) two pipped last night and I’m wondering if it normally takes a long time to unzip? They haven’t made much progress and it’s been over 12 hours. Should it be taking this long?

 

[-Isla June-]

I don't know much about this stuff, but here are some mentions! @Kiki @Eggcessive @NatJ @sourland

 

[-Isla June-]

I don't know much about this stuff, but here are some mentions! @Kiki @Eggcessive @NatJ @sourland

@MysteryChicken

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hi there, this is my first time incubating eggs. I have six call duck eggs that are in the incubator on hatch day,(today) two pipped last night and I’m wondering if it normally takes a long time to unzip? They haven’t made much progress and it’s been over 12 hours. Should it be taking this long?

I'm not experienced with ducks, but I think it's normally between 12, & 24hrs before actual hatching begins.

 

[Thatcher R]

I'm not experienced with ducks, but I think it's normally between 12, & 24hrs before actual hatching begins.

Thank you!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thank you!

You're welcome.

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven’t hatched ducks before. Chicken eggs can start pipping and get stuck if the chick is weak. I do not help them hatch. You can also post on the duck forum here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

 

[SilverBirds]

Ducklings are slow going. It can take ducklings over 48 hours to go from pip to zip. That's why making a safety hole is more common in duck eggs then chicken eggs. Hopefully everything goes well!

 

[NatJ]

They haven’t made much progress and it’s been over 12 hours. Should it be taking this long?

Yes, it probably does take that long and longer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
Here is an article about assisting eggs to hatch (if needed.)

It also tells when to assist, and how long to wait first. For example:
"Ducklings and goslings take a really long time sometimes from the time of external pip to the zip. You may want to allow them 24 to 36 hours before you start an assist."

 

[Thatcher R]

Yes, it probably does take that long and longer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/
Here is an article about assisting eggs to hatch (if needed.)

It also tells when to assist, and how long to wait first. For example:
"Ducklings and goslings take a really long time sometimes from the time of external pip to the zip. You may want to allow them 24 to 36 hours before you start an assist."

Ok I guess I was just paranoid, the duckling just hatched!