I am currently incubating a batch of shipped duck eggs as well, all had damaged air cells. I read all of the old posts and everything I could find online about the best course of action. I let them rest for 24 hours before incubating, then incubated air cell up in egg cartons without turning for the first 3 days. After that they were upright in my egg trays and turned 45 degrees five times a day. After 7 days I had only 5 developing out of the initial 14 eggs. Not great odds, but not unexpected either. When candled at 14 days two of them had died, so I am now left with only 3 good eggs. Ten days left of incubation now and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these guys will make it! Trying my best to wait until day 21 to candle again, I want to disturb them as little as possible.
I'm also conflicted with how to handle lock down. Having them upright in egg cartons seems so wrong for hatch, but they all have saddle-shaped air cells and I want to make sure they are able to get out ok. The air cells are stable now, but quite misshapen. Would they do ok lying on their sides? I'd love to hear more people's experiences with lock down of these types of eggs.
I'm also conflicted with how to handle lock down. Having them upright in egg cartons seems so wrong for hatch, but they all have saddle-shaped air cells and I want to make sure they are able to get out ok. The air cells are stable now, but quite misshapen. Would they do ok lying on their sides? I'd love to hear more people's experiences with lock down of these types of eggs.
