Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Zootopia]

Miss Lydia sent me to you good folks. I have a couple of armature duck hatching questions. Here's the story. I work at a Zoo and we have a bunch of beggars on the lake. Some of them nest in the Zoo and a co-worker found 4 eggs and gave them to me. We have Mallards (we don't bother their nests since they are migratory birds), Muscovy, White (Peking?) and Various mixes. The parents seem to be a Mallard drake and a white and brownish hen. The eggs are large and have a slight green tint, not as dark as the Mallards. I candled them when I brought them home and didn't see any development, placed them in the bator and candled them at 4 days, obvious veining. Pretty cool, easy to see.
I have them in my Repti Pro with some Guinea eggs and various chicken eggs. The humidity is kept between 50 and 60. The biggest thing is how do I figure out when to stop turning them? Is there anything special I should be doing for them? cooling, misting? I'm figuring I'll have to just watch the size of the embryo and see how much room it has left. Thoughts?

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Miss Lydia sent me to you good folks. I have a couple of armature duck hatching questions. Here's the story. I work at a Zoo and we have a bunch of beggars on the lake. Some of them nest in the Zoo and a co-worker found 4 eggs and gave them to me. We have Mallards (we don't bother their nests since they are migratory birds), Muscovy, White (Peking?) and Various mixes. The parents seem to be a Mallard drake and a white and brownish hen. The eggs are large and have a slight green tint, not as dark as the Mallards. I candled them when I brought them home and didn't see any development, placed them in the bator and candled them at 4 days, obvious veining. Pretty cool, easy to see.
I have them in my Repti Pro with some Guinea eggs and various chicken eggs. The humidity is kept between 50 and 60. The biggest thing is how do I figure out when to stop turning them? Is there anything special I should be doing for them? cooling, misting? I'm figuring I'll have to just watch the size of the embryo and see how much room it has left. Thoughts?

I would suggest since they're a mallard daddy to stop turning them on day 25. My mallard cross seem to hatch a day early than my other ducks did. Since mallards are 25.5 day incubation I don't think they'll go the full 28 days.
Your humidity sounds good now, but at hatch it will need to be more like 70 to 75 percent.

Some people mist. I don't do it religiously.. just me.
Keep us posted on that. How exciting!

 

[Iain Utah]

Team cayuga. You guys are funny! The little egg is still moving and turning, but not internally pipped yet. Looks to be more on a day 29 hatch schedule (if it hatches).

Dutch, love your babies!! Simon looks almost as big as Barley.

DG, congrats on the safe arrival of your new babies!!!

Time to finish bachelor flock new run and relocate them away from the coop.

 

[Iain Utah]

Jaz, by the way... did you get another cayuga egg in a random place today? Are you setting them??

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

I just sold 2 ducks that I'm pretty sure will be coming back to me in a month. Maybe not.. just never had ducks before and REALLY wanted a couple. They are going to stay in contact with me to ask any questions. I almost didn't sell them.. but then I thought. "ya know? you gotta start somewhere."

 

[JazminesZoo]

As promised.... when I took Barley & co. out to their side yard this morning, I brought my camera. Got a fun sequence of shots. The ONLY thing Barley is not scared of are my cats, and my cats don't get it because they like Barley & co. But Barley always chases the cats away whenever they get too close. First shot is Barley announcing that cat came into yard... then Barley chases it back through window (ie cat door) and marches back all proud of herself for taking care of the cat.

Hmmmm...you must be looking at the auction I'm watching! I sent a message asking if that was express shipping, and was told no, it's priority. WTH?

No you are watching the auction I am!

Utah....Barley is looking wonderful! I'll try to get photos of mine today. I prefer late evening because my flash captures color better that way. We do seem to be overcast today, so that may work, too.

Uh huh .... I will believe it when I see the pictures...

Holderreads cashed my check!!! On another thread the girl that got her check cashed last week already has a shipment date, so hoping mine comes soon too!

MORE Cayugas !!

I see eggs in my future !

 

[JazminesZoo]

Jaz, by the way... did you get another cayuga egg in a random place today? Are you setting them??

Yep ANOTHER one ~ right next to the pool, saw it when I was getting ready to dump it for fresh water ! Barely saw it too. Weird BeetleJuice Cayugas! I am collecting them for another 3 days & then I will set them in 6 egg increments... Why do you want a few ???

 

[Iain Utah]

That is very cool. Fingers crossed they are fertile!! I look forward to your day 7 candling report. I will want eggs in a couple of months, but right now I'm trying to get my babies grown up enough to begin camping season! Hubby and I are both itching to get away for a long weekend.

 

[country_girl011]

i have good and bad news.

bad news is my critical babies died .

good news.
the 2 leg issue babies. got moved to the brooder.
still slightly wobbly.
but are much better than earlier in the day .
=)

 

[DutchChic]

the only positive is that he is strong enough to launch himself outa the cup.
not tip it over.. literly hurl himself out

Butters did that, and that's what kept giving me hope. My grey didn't do that after awhile...just went quiet and listless it seemed. It's not now, though....they are all 3 doing well.

brooder babies
the grey

blue bibbed

snowy


the incubator babies out for a little physical therapy

So cute! I'm really liking the blue bibbed!

Holderreads cashed my check!!! On another thread the girl that got her check cashed last week already has a shipment date, so hoping mine comes soon too!

No you are watching the auction I am!

Uh huh .... I will believe it when I see the pictures...

MORE Cayugas !!

I see eggs in my future !

Uh, no...you are watching the auction I am

I've been watching it since it was posted

I've been hunting me some of those all freaking year!
Oh, and yes...I did post some pics, so believe it sista!
.