What are the signs that hatching is near?

[jayjay]

Still nothing yet, i am starting to wounder if there is something wrong, or have i got dates mixed up. One egg still has a crack in it but not changing or getting bigger and i cant hear anything.
This is a silly question i know but what end should the air sack be before they hatch. I candled one yesterday and it is at the rounded end but did not move round.

Will they ever hatch?

 

[jayjay]

Sad news, she has thrown one of the eggs out of the nest this morning. I am assuming this is a sign that the duckling is dead. I am getting worried now.

 

[jdywntr]

Sad news, she has thrown one of the eggs out of the nest this morning. I am assuming this is a sign that the duckling is dead. I am getting worried now.

Are you sure she removed it intentionally? Was there a pip or anything? My previous runner's first egg to hatch was found about 2 feet from the nest, I stuck it back under her. If you still have it, listen to it and see if you hear anything. My muscovy hatched yesterday 11 out of 14. Today she seems like she's done being motherly.

Good luck jayjay and keep us posted.

 

[jayjay]

Hi,

Yes im pretty sure she moved it intentionally. She had to get it out of the nesting box, down the ramp and it was found about 2 meters from the box. I did check it, she must have done it last night because it was very cold. There were no sounds and when i candled it there was no internal piping. [I think thats the right term] I could not see anything just a mass of yellow.

She is still sitting on 14 so I am hoping something will happen soon. This is my first time and i did not realise how much i would get attached to them. I have never had ducks or chickens before.

Thank you for your help. Any more advice you have please let me know. This site is great for learning and i am really glad i joined.

 

[jdywntr]

Jayjay, what kind of duck is she? I skimmed through the thread and didn't see a breed. As long as she is not muscovy, then the eggs should hatch at about 28 days. 32-35 for muscovy, mine hatched on day 35. If she is still setting, I'm sure everything will happen in good time.

 

[jayjay]

She is a Khaki Campbell at just over 1 yr old. I am thinking that i may be a few days out with the dates. If not today is day 31.

 

[jayjay]

Really worried now. I MUST HAVE MIS CALCULATED?? Still nothing. She has not thrown any more eggs out and is sitting constantly still. I really hope all is ok.

 

[jdywntr]

Do you know when she laid the last egg? I had marked mine with the date.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi,

Yes im pretty sure she moved it intentionally. She had to get it out of the nesting box, down the ramp and it was found about 2 meters from the box. I did check it, she must have done it last night because it was very cold. There were no sounds and when i candled it there was no internal piping. [I think thats the right term] I could not see anything just a mass of yellow.

She is still sitting on 14 so I am hoping something will happen soon. This is my first time and i did not realise how much i would get attached to them. I have never had ducks or chickens before.

Thank you for your help. Any more advice you have please let me know. This site is great for learning and i am really glad i joined.

Did you open the egg up that she tossed? that may have told you alot about what day she is on.

 

[jayjay]

Must admit i didn't. Your right though i should have. Her last egg was laid 8th March though she was sitting on them a few days before. Is that where i have gone wrong? I have taken dates from when i first saw that she was sitting on them not from when she laid the last one. I feel a bit silly now lol. I have a lot to learn.

Thank you for helping me, i think i need all the support i can get and you have made me feel a little better now. I will not panic so much and wait a few more days.

Huge thanks
Jay