The Quack Shack

[Supercow]

I think I'm hearing chirping from the current batch of KC eggs since yesterday which was day 23 ... So I started lockdown (no more turning, high humidity) yesterday already.

The Italian breeder I was in contact with because of the Welshies suggested to really close up the incubator air intake during lockdown so that the increased concentration of CO2 would bind onto the vapor, creating a weak acid solution which helps to soften the shells.

Chemically it does make sense, I just don't know whether it happens to a large enough degree in practice to make a difference. We'll see I guess. Here's a study that's really positive on this: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731122000507

And, oh - I just noticed an attempted external pip.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I would be more worried that you would suffocate them. They are used to hard shells ducks are just notoriously slow hatching. Why would we all provide safety holes if there's no oxygen to be had.

 

[Supercow]

The first Welshie has left home to see the world ... Presumably a girl, if she turns out to be a boy I don't think he gets returned as the buyers are from the direct opposite part of the country

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

[…]
Chemically it does make sense, I just don't know whether it happens to a large enough degree in practice to make a difference. We'll see I guess. Here's a study that's really positive on this: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731122000507
[…]

Chemically it does not make sense!
First: Not only is Carbonic acid a very weak acid, also Carbon-Dioxide prefers to just dissolve into water rather than reacting to Carbonic Acid.
Second: What are egg-shells made of? - Mostly Calcium Carbonate! Which is made by reacting Calcium Hydroxide with Carbonic Acid.
You cannot displace an acid from a salt with itself. i.e. you cannot displace the Chlorine ion in table-salt with hydrochloride acid. A stronger acid like sulphuric acid is needed. - Don't try that at home! Chlorine gas is very toxic!

As @Magnolia Ducks already mentioned i am more concerned that the duxlings will suffocate if you restrict their oxygen supply…

Attempted pip? - Time for safety holes! (My opinion, not mainstream duxling science.)

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The first Welshie has left home to see the world ... Presumably a girl, if she turns out to be a boy I don't think he gets returned as the buyers are from the direct opposite part of the country

That may depend on how he - if he turns out to be a he - will use his cork-screw…

 

[Supercow]

Chemically it does not make sense!
First: Not only is Carbonic acid a very weak acid, also Carbon-Dioxide prefers to just dissolve into water rather than reacting to Carbonic Acid.
Second: What are egg-shells made of? - Mostly Calcium Carbonate! Which is made by reacting Calcium Hydroxide with Carbonic Acid.
You cannot displace an acid from a salt with itself. i.e. you cannot displace the Chlorine ion in table-salt with hydrochloride acid. A stronger acid like sulphuric acid is needed. - Don't try that at home! Chlorine gas is very toxic!

As @Magnolia Ducks already mentioned i am more concerned that the duxlings will suffocate if you restrict their oxygen supply…

Attempted pip? - Time for safety holes! (My opinion, not mainstream duxling science.)

Well... Think of the Carst type geographical situation.
CaCO3 does get dissolved (even if it then re-crystallizes elsewhere).

Yes, we're definitely doing safety holes.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Can't wait to see the babies. Made mistake of going to TSC. Cayugas! Sigh... My new babies appear to be doing good. Grey ugly tasty eggs coming.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Also have you ever heard of a bibbed cayuga? I have one I thought it was a black swedish when I got it, then a couple of weeks ago I noticed the blue sheen in the sun. She's now laying and sure enough those Cayuga eggs. I also now have a bibbed KC drake.ideal strikes again. At least I know the girls will be good layers, but the KC seems to be going the way of Rapey McRapeface..

 

[Supercow]

In one incubator, all eggs have pipped, we made/enlarged the holes. One duckling is counter-positioned, pipped on the narrow end. We've had these before. No fun but likely to succeed with help.

In the other incubator, some sounds but no pips yet. A bit strange since they were started at the same time and technically had the same temp/humidity conditions throughout.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I'm guessing one backs is warmer than the other. Sometimes the temp on the backs is not as accurate. But as long as we get ducklings that's all that matters. This is so exciting