What EXACTLY is considered Day 1? (duck) ..making me nuts!

[GooseyinMtP]

I'm newbie..etc etc blah blah..
Q. What exactly is considered day one?
Scenario: Ran a red tail fox off my lawn that had been swiping duck eggs, one-by-one. For how long? I do not know. Found the mama (duck hen) dead not far from the brush she'd been nesting in. Checked out her nest..only 5 eggs still buried down. Brought them inside to incubate (as I justified it was 50/50, Fox got to eat, cycle of life, and I keep 5). I know FOR SURE the fox took 3-4 eggs, how many beforehand I do not know. Nor do I know if poor Mama was killed "on her nest" or "in route" to/from the nest. Doesn't the duck lay one egg per day and when full 12-13 she then incubates all at once? Either way.. I say fox 4, me 5 = 9 eggs, so...3-4 eggs short maybe. Not trying to complicate things here. But, is Day 1 the day I put the 5 in incubation? Or do I guestimate that she was maybe incubation at that time? I can't tell by the candling photos online. I can only confirm tonight would be the 8th night since I put in incubation. Monday night to Monday night. So what day do I investigate/look at. I had one dud of 5 for sure. I see large blood vessel lines (no more thin ring or sparse veins), half dark yellow yolk, slowly moves, half clear egg, and a dark spot in center circumference that has gotten bigger in a week with me.
I guess what would help is to figure out what day I should be referencing. Or just give it a few more days, may be too little too late.
Thanks everyone, sorry for long post.

 

[Raven23]

I'm newbie..etc etc blah blah..
Q. What exactly is considered day one?
Scenario: Ran a red tail fox off my lawn that had been swiping duck eggs, one-by-one. For how long? I do not know. Found the mama (duck hen) dead not far from the brush she'd been nesting in. Checked out her nest..only 5 eggs still buried down. Brought them inside to incubate (as I justified it was 50/50, Fox got to eat, cycle of life, and I keep 5). I know FOR SURE the fox took 3-4 eggs, how many beforehand I do not know. Nor do I know if poor Mama was killed "on her nest" or "in route" to/from the nest. Doesn't the duck lay one egg per day and when full 12-13 she then incubates all at once? Either way.. I say fox 4, me 5 = 9 eggs, so...3-4 eggs short maybe. Not trying to complicate things here. But, is Day 1 the day I put the 5 in incubation? Or do I guestimate that she was maybe incubation at that time? I can't tell by the candling photos online. I can only confirm tonight would be the 8th night since I put in incubation. Monday night to Monday night. So what day do I investigate/look at. I had one dud of 5 for sure. I see large blood vessel lines (no more thin ring or sparse veins), half dark yellow yolk, slowly moves, half clear egg, and a dark spot in center circumference that has gotten bigger in a week with me.
I guess what would help is to figure out what day I should be referencing. Or just give it a few more days, may be too little too late.
Thanks everyone, sorry for long post.

i think Day 1 is 24 hours after they're set, the first day is actually 0, and then after 24 hours it is day 1- so basicaly the first day isn't counted

its best to candle on day 5, or day 7, there should be good signs by then but i don't discard any until day 10 to be sure

 

[Yardmom]

Was your duck sitting on the eggs day and night before you rescued them? Could you see any development before you put them in the incubator (did you check) Day one would be after the duck sat on them for a full day and night with only quick breaks. Or in the incubator 24 hours if she had not sat on them. Assuming the duck sat on them a few days you might not figure out the exact day. That is ok. What is important is raising the humidity a bit before external pip. What you need to do is check the eggs for internal pips when they start looking full. It Will look like a shadow in the air cell. When you see the first internal pip put the eggs into lockdown,, and get prepared for ducklings.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Ha ha, I understand your confusion. I usually count day 1 as the day I put the eggs in the incubator if it is in the morning. And day one the day after if I put them in the evening.
Just keep candling and they should hatch somewhere around 28 days after you started incubating.

 

[GooseyinMtP]

See my answers in RED below:

I really appreciate everyone's quick replies, thank you!

Was your duck sitting on the eggs day and night before you rescued them?

I don't know for sure. Depends on if the Fox got her on her nest or in route, but she was found 3-4 yards away from nest. She was DEFINITELY killed early Sunday morning 3/5 (as I would have noticed). I covered the nest and left the 5 eggs in nest until the next night Monday night 3/6. I was worried about what I should should do and needed supplies. I'm in Charleston, SC it did not get cold that night (cool, not cold cold). So... in summary, they went 24 hrs with just being in the nest. Then I incubated Monday night 3/6 -- is that DAY 0 and Tuesday 3/7 DAY 1??

Could you see any development before you put them in the incubator (did you check) Day one would be after the duck sat on them for a full day and night with only quick breaks.

I did candle that same Monday night 3/6 started incubating. There were tiny thin red lines looking like a barely visible ring in devolvement. Very different now.

When you see the first internal pip put the eggs into lockdown,, and get prepared for ducklings.

That is sooo cool! I'm worried I am getting to excited. But next time..I'll be prepared with the right supplies and a WHOLE lot more knowledge. I did have chickens once, they were THE best pets we EVER had. But the HOA made me get rid of them (2013). I was being sneaky. Ha!!!
Would it be okay if I send you a candling pick this evening? see what you think? If I can..

 

[GooseyinMtP]

i think Day 1 is 24 hours after they're set, the first day is actually 0, and then after 24 hours it is day 1- so basicaly the first day isn't counted

its best to candle on day 5, or day 7, there should be good signs by then but i don't discard any until day 10 to be sure

Thank you so much! 10 day, good mark, thanks. I was wondering how long to go to give up. I only know the 1 egg is dud bc there is literally nothing in it, clear.

 

[GooseyinMtP]

Ha ha, I understand your confusion. I usually count day 1 as the day I put the eggs in the incubator if it is in the morning. And day one the day after if I put them in the evening.
Just keep candling and they should hatch somewhere around 28 days after you started incubating.

Thank you... I knew someone would "get" what I was asking. I mean its not a crazy question is it?? No info on that anywhere. So I think If I put eggs in incubation Monday night 3/6, then Day ONE would be Tuesday night 3/7. 24 hours incubate. It may be Day 2 seeing that I waited 24 hours to even bring them in (Sunday - Monday). Was nervous and needed supplies. Thanks again.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Thank you... I knew someone would "get" what I was asking. I mean its not a crazy question is it?? No info on that anywhere. So I think If I put eggs in incubation Monday night 3/6, then Day ONE would be Tuesday night 3/7. 24 hours incubate. It may be Day 2 seeing that I waited 24 hours to even bring them in (Sunday - Monday). Was nervous and needed supplies. Thanks again.

I do understand. I found it confusing when I started hatching. Since you saw some veins I think yours are a day or two ahead. Don’t worry though! They can hatch in the turner and still be ok (personal experience but not the best plan). Good luck!

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Thank you so much! 10 day, good mark, thanks. I was wondering how long to go to give up. I only know the 1 egg is dud bc there is literally nothing in it, clear.

I would still put that one in the incubator unless you don't have room.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Oh, and different breeds take a different number of days to hatch and sometimes the eggs can be early or late... (The worries have just begun )