Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Goin Quackrrs]

GQ I still love the color on that silver runner. Your Toulouse looks just like an african or african cross though, black bill gives it away as does the neck stripe. What breed is the other goose? Very pretty neck and head on it.


Production Toulouse gander hatched this year, current picture first, young picture second




Africans

Ah, figures! The goose in question is a hatchery goose we got as a gosling when the first one's hatchmate passed away. Either way, she has a good personality and that's what we were looking for. The sign read "Toulouse - black feet" assuming it was a note for the workers on how to tell them apart. Sheesh. Should know better than deal with that feed store. But a lonely gosling makes horrible noise. It had to be done.

The gander is a mixed breed Pomeranian Saddleback/Embden. Free hatching eggs.

Thanks! How high should humidity be for me? I heard 80 - 85% but I just wanna make sure. I ordered some Welsh Harlequins from Metzer to test the bator with - kind of expensive but they're what I wanted...if I can get just one duck out I'll be happy. I know my hatch rate will probably be terrible. Can I let the eggs rest at room temperature, or am I going to have to try to find a cooler spot for them?

Whoa. Are you measuring wet bulb or relative humidity?

I incubate at 50% and raise to 75-80% at lockdown.

 

[Pyxis]

Relative. Seriously, that's what it says on Metzer's website - 86% during incubation and 94% at hatch. Although I think they use wet bulb so perhaps they said percent by mistake and were instead giving wet bulb readings? I dunno. Really glad I asked though - I almost drowned my eggs! So far I've got the humidity to drop to 63% and I think I'll be okay at that, since others seem to do okay with it around there.

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

Relative. Seriously, that's what it says on Metzer's website - 86% during incubation and 94% at hatch. Although I think they use wet bulb so perhaps they said percent by mistake and were instead giving wet bulb readings? I dunno. Really glad I asked though - I almost drowned my eggs! So far I've got the humidity to drop to 63% and I think I'll be okay at that, since others seem to do okay with it around there.

That's got to be wet bulb readings on the Metzer's website.

Had me confused the first time around too.

 

[Iain Utah]

Quackers, she sure looks african to me too, but she looks very sweet and that is what is important! Personally, I love africans. They are full of personality!

 

[Goin Quackrrs]

Quackers, she sure looks african to me too, but she looks very sweet and that is what is important! Personally, I love africans. They are full of personality!

She's a sweetie! No complaints here. She's so much smaller than our saddleback/embden mix.

 

[Pyxis]

That's got to be wet bulb readings on the Metzer's website.

Had me confused the first time around too.

I'm glad it wasn't just me! I was stressing out because I was having a nightmare getting it up there and had no idea how I'd maintain that for nearly four weeks! I'm so glad I don't have to keep it that high.

 

[Pyxis]

Okay guys, just a few more questions and then I'll stop I swear!

So I read that for shipped eggs it helps to incubate them in an egg carton pointy side down, until day 25 when you can take them out and lay them on their side for hatching. Is that true? Also, how do you turn the eggs in an egg carton?

I read that some people like to cool the eggs down after ten days of incubation, where they take the eggs out, let them reach 86 degrees, then put them back in. Does anyone do this? Does it really improve the hatch?

That's it (for now )

 

[Marty1876]

Here is a link to a great thread that'll give you the most awesome info, resulting in superior hatches. Many of us follow this.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491013/goose-incubation-hatching-guide-completed It is aimed at geese, but it works dandy for ducks too.

I put my duck and goose eggs in pointy end down for 3 days without turning on its side, but I do tip them back and forth after the first 24 hours. After 72 hours, I lay them on their sides (mark w/X on one side to keep track) and turn every 8 hours, or as close to that as possible. After a week, I set them out, spritz them with water, set a timer for 20 minutes for ducks, let cool until then, and pop back in the bator. Only do this every other day. I spray them in the bator with water every night too (I myself, not everyone).

Hope this helps.

 

[ChristineR]

Adorable. I'm starting to want a bad hair day curly goose. I didn't like the look of them really at first, but after seeing all the pics on here I'm starting to think they are pretty birds.
Pretty girl. Has your gander met her yet?

I really like their temperaments, too. These are my first geese, but I remember a few aggressive geese from my childhood! These two are so quiet and laid back.

Here is a link to a great thread that'll give you the most awesome info, resulting in superior hatches. Many of us follow this.....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491013/goose-incubation-hatching-guide-completed It is aimed at geese, but it works dandy for ducks too.

I put my duck and goose eggs in pointy end down for 3 days without turning on its side, but I do tip them back and forth after the first 24 hours. After 72 hours, I lay them on their sides (mark w/X on one side to keep track) and turn every 8 hours, or as close to that as possible. After a week, I set them out, spritz them with water, set a timer for 20 minutes for ducks, let cool until then, and pop back in the bator. Only do this every other day. I spray them in the bator with water every night too (I myself, not everyone).

Hope this helps.

This guide really helped me when I hatched my duck eggs. Definitely recommend reading it.



And...here's my new puppy!!!

 

[ChristineR]

Oh, yeah - I have a question. What is a fair price for 5 month old Ancona ducks and drakes?