Trying to incubate duck eggs but failing. Help.

[Leighwilliams]

Ok this is my second time trying to incubate my Pekin and Rouen duck eggs. I know they are fertile because you can see Donald and Frankie getting the girls and I have cracked some of their eggs and they are fertile. This is the second time I am trying to incubate 13 eggs it’s been 7 days and candled them today and I’ve got no signs of growth in all 13. I have them in my hova bator because I have chicken eggs going in my Harris farms one. I started them all at the same time and same setting. What am I doing wrong with my duck eggs. Please help.

 

[Texag87]

Are you sure about no growth ? Duck egg shells are thicker and harder to candle. Otherwise your temp may be way off causing this problem.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

What is your temp and humidity range? Did you store the eggs prior to putting them in the bator? If so, how long?

 

[floppysquirrel04]

Also, what age is your flock? Old ducks tend to not produce as many fertile eggs, and really old drakes are sometimes infertile. If they are younger, this wouldn’t be a problem.

 

[Leighwilliams]

Are you sure about no growth ? Duck egg shells are thicker and harder to candle. Otherwise your temp may be way off causing this problem.

Ive checked the temp like crazy. I have 2 chicken eggs with them and they are doing great. When I candled the duck eggs you can see through them clearly so I don’t know.

 

[Leighwilliams]

What is your temp and humidity range? Did you store the eggs prior to putting them in the bator? If so, how long?

The temp is 99.5 and humidity is at 60. I did not store eggs but they were maybe a day to 2 days old. Also my ducks are about a year old.

 

[DuckyDonna]

It just doesn't look like the eggs are fertile. Your temp is good, humidity a bit high but still they should have started by now. @WVduckchick @Kiki what are your thoughts?

 

[floppysquirrel04]

Huh. How old are your ducks? It also may just be the time of year, this last batch of ducklings I did there were about 30-40% infertile eggs, so I didn't end up getting as many as Id like. You might just have to wait till spring

 

[Leighwilliams]

Huh. How old are your ducks? It also may just be the time of year, this last batch of ducklings I did there were about 30-40% infertile eggs, so I didn't end up getting as many as Id like. You might just have to wait till spring

Ok. My ducks are close to a year old. They started laying around 2 months ago. And they are laying as much as my chickens. One duck lays 2 eggs a day. I guess I can wait till spring to try and hatch some ducks. Thank you.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

That’s pretty weird do you have a broody hen that you could put them under and see what happens? Maybe just very few are fertile right now, and you just have to collect a bunch to get good ones? I’ve got nothing else for ya other than wait until spring and try again. Keep us posted on this thread when you get some good ones!