Time to hatch and candling?

[Honeybee_e]

Hello, all. I have 6 Runner ducks: 2 drakes and 4 hens. One of the hens has been sitting on a clutch for about 4 weeks. The other hens have almost entirely stopped laying. How long should I wait before moving mother hen off her clutch and starting over? How can I check the eggs to see if there's anything in there? Is candling really a thing?

 

[Debbie292d]

Yes, candling is a thing. They could be hatching any day though as the majority of ducks take 28 days. You could just wait a few days.

Otherwise, find the brightest flashlight you own. It's easier to do at night, or take a couple eggs somewhere where it's dark, then put the flashlight up to the large end. You should see it nearly full with an air cell at the top of the big end. If alive, you will most likely see it move.

Also, sometimes duck eggs get a bruised look to them right before they're going to hatch. Like a bluish greenish discoloration.