Stressed future duck mama

[littlepip]

ok. So I have 8 fertile Pekin DUCK eggs. each is developing perfectly, and on day 11, we have seen some movement. (today is day 11) I don't know what to do or how to do this whole "hatching process" thing. WHAT THE HECK IS LOCKDOWN?!?! WHEN DO I NEED TO STOP TURNING MY EGGS??? ARE ANY GOING TO HATCH?!? WHEN DO I TAKE OUT THE VENTILATION PLUGS??! OH PLEASE OH PLEASE HELP ME!!! also, how important is the humidity, and can I hatch eggs without any humidity?

I don't get how a duck can just sit on the eggs all day and get them to all hatch, while we're over here trying to get the temperature perfect, and the humidity right!

 

[Knighstar679]

Deep breath... lockdown is the time when the eggs are working on or hatching. Your ducklings will need a higher humidity during that time and opening the incubator for longer that very brief moments after a duckling has pipped (broken the exterior shell) can cause shrink wrapping.

You will stop turning the eggs on day 25 so the ducklings can get into hatching positions. I sometimes do this earlier if my temp ran a little higher.

Hope that helps take some of the stress away. You still have lots of time to read before the babies are here.

 

[littlepip]

do I open the vent plugs during hatch only?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

do I open the vent plugs during hatch only?

You need to have at least one vent plug open now. . the eggs need air. But watch your humidity and temp when you take it out since you've been running with them in. it will probably change.
@WVduckchick has a great article about humidity.
@Pyxis has a couple of great articles on incubating and hatching

 

[WVduckchick]

Candling pic looks great! So you are doing fine. We're here to help, even if it just means holding your hand and keeping you calm. You have a long way to go, so hang in there!!

First question -- what kind of incubator are you using?

Second question - this is a super easy mistake to make, so I'm not being critical. Are you sure its day 11? Day 1 does not start until 24 hours after setting the eggs, so make sure you have the day count correct. Its a very common mistake to start counting day 1 when you set them. Pekin duck eggs average 28 days, so if you set them on a Monday, they "should" hatch on the 4th Monday following set day.

I say toss the vent plugs from the beginning. Trash can.

 

[littlepip]

THANK YOU! I took out one out of the 2 vent plugs, and all is well. now I'm on day 16. (yes, 16 for SURE) I don't know the BRAND of incubator, but I do know it's a generic styrofoam incubator with a temp and humidity gauge on the top. also, I candled them today, and want to know how to tell if one has died. some are moving, some are not. one of the eggs is dark all around, and I can just make out a few veins at the wayyyy bottom. it appears not all of the eggs are growing at the same pace. is this a bad sign? we want at least 3 out of the 8 to hatch. pretty reasonable right? I need hope!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

THANK YOU! I took out one out of the 2 vent plugs, and all is well. now I'm on day 16. (yes, 16 for SURE) I don't know the BRAND of incubator, but I do know it's a generic styrofoam incubator with a temp and humidity gauge on the top. also, I candled them today, and want to know how to tell if one has died. some are moving, some are not. one of the eggs is dark all around, and I can just make out a few veins at the wayyyy bottom. it appears not all of the eggs are growing at the same pace. is this a bad sign? we want at least 3 out of the 8 to hatch. pretty reasonable right? I need hope!

Sorry we didn't get back to you.
How are the eggs now? Can you post pictures next time you candle? Usually when I've known one died, it will have a dark blob that will kind of just slosh around in there and all the veins will disappear.