The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Congrats! have you candled, tapped and listened to the remaining?

Tapped and listened yes. I can't candle during the day. I don't have a place dark enough or a light bright enough. They also don't feel "solid" like an egg that has a live chick does. I was pretty positive I had one dud before I went into lock down. I will give them another day or so though just to make sure.

 

[JulieNKC]

2 more chicks were waiting in the incubator this morning for me. So that brings me to 5 so far, plus a duckling, 4 eggs left to go.

Then I get to clean the hatcher because I have another set of eggs going in that are due next weekend.

 

[Cynthia12]

Wow...a lot of updates!! I've been down with a bad tummy, but I guess I need to get up and go down to check the incubator. I separated them all into identifiable groups when I added water to the Sportsman, so it should be okay if there are chicks loose...I only had one peep and no pips when I last checked. I'll be back and report!!

No fun at all! Getter better soon. You need to enjoy those babies.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Out of 14 in Lockdown we have 12 Healthy, Happy Little Fuzzy Butts. Very Excited as these are new breeds to add to our flock. Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans and Lavender Orpingtons

Adorable! Congrats!

 

[Razadia]

The chick that fist pip yesterday is going to need some help. I'm putting it off a little longer, but I can see that the blood has receded. The chick is too big for the shell and it can't get out on it's own. The fully hatched chick is doing fine, but not chirping. Poor little thing is so tired! It woke me up chirping this morning and I have another pip. The chick is working on making it's way out. Still nothing from the game eggs and the internally pipped duck egg still isn't doing anything.

I have the hardest time with ducks- - - I'm happy to just get a few. Internally pip is a good sign, if you need to rescue it you can save it.
Since several people here have said that ducks take longer, I'm not really sure when I should start to worry.

 

[misskeeter]

I have te exact sam

not sure if you can tell, the chick is completely bent in half with legs stretched out straight in front.

e thing with my little one!

 

[luvmyEs]

Well I give up. This was my second time with an incubator and no success again. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong. I was told it might be my humidity. I had it at 40% until lockdown and then put it at 60% (duck eggs). Temps were steady at 99.6F. I might try one more time, but if that doesn't work out I'm sticking with my silkie mommas.

 

[JulieNKC]

Since several people here have said that ducks take longer, I'm not really sure when I should start to worry.

Give them a minimum of 24 hours to external pip from internal. It can take up to 36 easily. If I know one of my duck eggs has been internal pipped for over 24 hours and hasn't external pipped then I will make a very very small hole at the end so I know they can get air, and wait another 24 hours to see if they start making progress on their own before doing anything else.

 

[Bigfamily4me]

Duc

Well I give up. This was my second time with an incubator and no success again. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong. I was told it might be my humidity. I had it at 40% until lockdown and then put it at 60% (duck eggs). Temps were steady at 99.6F. I might try one more time, but if that doesn't work out I'm sticking with my silkie mommas.

duck eggs are trickier. There was a thread on here about how to hatch goose eggs I believe. Very detailed and also applicable to ducks. A duck shell is also harder to crack so some breeds have a harder time than others getting out. Good luck in the future!

 

[mstricer]

Well I give up. This was my second time with an incubator and no success again. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong. I was told it might be my humidity. I had it at 40% until lockdown and then put it at 60% (duck eggs). Temps were steady at 99.6F. I might try one more time, but if that doesn't work out I'm sticking with my silkie mommas.

Don't give up yet. Are you using a still air or forced air? You should try a dry hatch.