Turning aeggs when I should be on lock down, help!

[Virus]

I have some chicks that should be hatching in a day or two and I'm really excited as it's my first time hatching! My problem is that I have two duck eggs in the incubator right now that are very far from hatching. I recently bought a new duck and the provider said it was likely she was laying fertile eggs, so I put two in not expecting anything to happen but they started growing, don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic about raising more ducklings but I've ran into a problem. Everything I've read about incubating says not the open the incubator 3 or so days before the chicks are due to hatch but I have to open it to turn the duck eggs. I guess I have to do it so I'm looking for any tips on avoiding infection with the chicks and ducklings. Thanks!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have some chicks that should be hatching in a day or two and I'm really excited as it's my first time hatching! My problem is that I have two duck eggs in the incubator right now that are very far from hatching. I recently bought a new duck and the provider said it was likely she was laying fertile eggs, so I put two in not expecting anything to happen but they started growing, don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic about raising more ducklings but I've ran into a problem. Everything I've read about incubating says not the open the incubator 3 or so days before the chicks are due to hatch but I have to open it to turn the duck eggs. I guess I have to do it so I'm looking for any tips on avoiding infection with the chicks and ducklings. Thanks!

There are two type of hatchers. Hands off that will insist the bator shouldn't be open after lockdown and hands on that often open after lock down and defy the hands on philosophy. (Can you guess which one I am?

)

Infection is not the issue. The belief is that you run a chance of "shrink wrapping" the eggs. I have my own theories and arguments with that, but we'll save it for another time and place. I open the bator constantly during hatch will no ill effects. Trust me, if anyone should have problems from opening the bator, it should be me.

Here's the thing, you need to keep your humidity up for the hatchers. I run at 75% (Not ideal for the duck eggs, but you should have plenty of time to get the humidity back down after the hatch to even them out.) You need to know what to look for possible problems, mostly membrane drying out around the pip hole. As long as you have your humidity up and keep an eye on pippers/zippers, turning a couple duck eggs should not pose a problem as long as you are not holding the bator open for extend periods.

If you need help along the way, feel free to join us over on: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1081034/hands-on-hatching-and-help

 

[Virus]

Thank you so much!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you so much!

You are welcome!