What do you guys think about these Duck eggs? Healthy or unhealthy?

[HomeofTheChicks]

This is my first time incubating duck eggs and tomorrow is supposed to be their lockdown day. I candled these eggs yesterday so these pictures are a day old. Only one of the eggs (Duck egg #1) looks like it's actually going to hatch in a few days. The others appear to be maybe a couple of days behind or possibly dead. I tried the movement test and so far maybe 2 or 3 out of 4 moved slightly. The funny thing is, I was about to throw out duck egg #1 in the beginning because it wasn't developing like the others. I decided to give it an extra day and came back to it looking like it was doing better than the others! How odd. I hope these eggs are okay and everything is normal. I have lockdown day set for tomorrow. Should I give them extra time?

 

[HomeofTheChicks]

@duckbill2367 here is the thread. Thank you! Any help is appreciated

 

[Corbdee]

This is my first time incubating duck eggs and tomorrow is supposed to be their lockdown day. I candled these eggs yesterday so these pictures are a day old. Only one of the eggs (Duck egg #1) looks like it's actually going to hatch in a few days. The others appear to be maybe a couple of days behind or possibly dead. I tried the movement test and so far maybe 2 or 3 out of 4 moved slightly. The funny thing is, I was about to throw out duck egg #1 in the beginning because it wasn't developing like the others. I decided to give it an extra day and came back to it looking like it was doing better than the others! How odd. I hope these eggs are okay and everything is normal. I have lockdown day set for tomorrow. Should I give them extra time?

To me these eggs seem pretty undeveloped to be on day 24, maybe 3-4 days off. The very bottom picture looks the most healthy - you want them to be almost completely dark except for the air sack by the time you stop turning them for lockdown. If there is any possibility of viability still, I would leave them in there.

 

[Corbdee]

To me these eggs seem pretty undeveloped to be on day 24, maybe 3-4 days off. The very bottom picture looks the most healthy - you want them to be almost completely dark except for the air sack by the time you stop turning them for lockdown. If there is any possibility of viability still, I would leave them in there.

It should be fine to set all eggs in lockdown without turning anymore even if some are behind, as I believe the egg turning is most important during the first part of incubation

 

[HomeofTheChicks]

To me these eggs seem pretty undeveloped to be on day 24, maybe 3-4 days off. The very bottom picture looks the most healthy - you want them to be almost completely dark except for the air sack by the time you stop turning them for lockdown. If there is any possibility of viability still, I would leave them in there.

Awesome! Thanks. I was starting to doubt myself whether I wrote the wrong date on the calendar for when they were about to hatch. Maybe ill give them till this coming Tuesday? It's four days which I hope is enough. I'll candle them Saturday and Monday and look for dark filling except for the air sack. Might want to keep an ear out for peeping as well. Thanks again!

 

[Corbdee]

Awesome! Thanks. I was starting to doubt myself whether I wrote the wrong date on the calendar for when they were about to hatch. Maybe ill give them till this coming Tuesday? It's four days which I hope is enough. I'll candle them Saturday and Monday and look for dark filling except for the air sack. Might want to keep an ear out for peeping as well. Thanks again!

What day did you set them, do you know? Waiting a few extra days sounds good but if some are actually fully developed I wouldn't risk it opening the incubator too much because once in lockdown the eggs need as much humidity as possible. If you can help it, try to minimize candling as well.

 

[HomeofTheChicks]

Okay, thanks! I put them in somewhere between February 28th and march 4th. The day I put them in the incubator I counted 28 days and marked it on my calendar. I must have forgotten to write down when I had put the eggs in. I'll definitely do that next time. I'll try and minimalize candling. I'll avoid opening the incubator just in case any do decide to hatch.
@duckbill2367

 

[HomeofTheChicks]

@New duck mommy 2021 and @BelovedBirds. Hello! This is the thread where I posted the pictures.

 

[BelovedBirds]

This is my first time incubating duck eggs and tomorrow is supposed to be their lockdown day. I candled these eggs yesterday so these pictures are a day old. Only one of the eggs (Duck egg #1) looks like it's actually going to hatch in a few days. The others appear to be maybe a couple of days behind or possibly dead. I tried the movement test and so far maybe 2 or 3 out of 4 moved slightly. The funny thing is, I was about to throw out duck egg #1 in the beginning because it wasn't developing like the others. I decided to give it an extra day and came back to it looking like it was doing better than the others! How odd. I hope these eggs are okay and everything is normal. I have lockdown day set for tomorrow. Should I give them extra time?

Egg 1 and 3 have good veining. The other two look a little questionable- are you seeing movement when you candle? And veins?
I wouldn't do the movement test again if you mean water floating- this should only be a very last resort for eggs that haven't pipped and are very late- even then it isn't a reliable method.

I would do a late lockdown, they seem behind in development and I'm worried they may have too much liquid in the egg. What is your humidity and temp? Do you have a calibrated thermometer?
If the temp is a little low, it can result in slower development and a later hatch. You can stop turning them at this stage but I wouldnt raise the humidity until you see the air cells growing and beginning to dip down slightly. At that point I would properly lock them down.
Candling is perfectly safe, but if you can use a torch or your phone, and candle them while they're in the incubator. That way you don't have to pick them up, risk dropping them, or disorient the babies. It's just a little safer all around- but you'll still be able to keep a close eye on their development and raise the humidity as soon as one or more look ready.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Okay, thanks! I put them in somewhere between February 28th and march 4th. The day I put them in the incubator I counted 28 days and marked it on my calendar. I must have forgotten to write down when I had put the eggs in. I'll definitely do that next time. I'll try and minimalize candling. I'll avoid opening the incubator just in case any do decide to hatch.
@duckbill2367

They're actually a day less than you believe then, the first day of incubation isn't counted- so when you put them in, the first 24 hours is 0, then you count from there-
It's quite common mistake, it's quite confusing!