using an incubator

[Dori47]

we have one of those cheap styrofoam incubators. How long do my bantam duck eggs need to hatch and what level of humidity do I need? I read up on this years ago when we first got ducks, but we had a broody duck, and we just let her set the eggs and we got ducklings every year. Last year we didn't get ducklings and due to various circumstances, we are down to our last bantam duck and drake, so we want to try some in the incubator this year. I tried a search of the forum, but I guess I didn't use the right words to find what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[Texag87]

@Miss Lydia can call out the hatching experts.

 

[Pyxis]

Bantam duck breeds usually take 26 days to hatch. The best humidity to use varies by location; I'd recommend giving this article by @WVduckchick a read:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/
If this is the first time you've incubated or you're still fairly new to it, this article I wrote also might help you out:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-beginners-guide-to-incubation.73350/

 

[Isaac 0]

Bantam ducks usually hatch around day 26, I keep my humidity around 30-40% for the first 23 days then raise it to 60-65% for the last three days, Its best to weigh your eggs and track there weight throughout incubation as several factors determine what your humidity should be at the location, elevation, porosity of the egg and the humidity in your house. Calls lose around 13% of there weight over a 26 day period. If you don't feel like weighing you can track the aircell aswell , too small aircell means too high humidity, too big aircell means too low humidity.

 

[Dori47]

awesome. thanks all