What is the hardest part of incubating duck eggs?

[duckyfromoz]

What kind of incubator do you have?

I am using a borrowed still air LG. I'm hoping this group of eggs will hatch enough ducklings to convince me to buy my own bator! I was looking at the Genesis 1588 with turner. I have never seen roll turner. What is that?

The brand is IM. not sure if they are actually available in the States though.
http://www.incubatorsandmore.com.au/im web/35A.htm

The silver frame moves from side to side rolling the eggs. It gets to the right temp within ten minutes of turning it on- and stays there. Brilliant little machine that I have never had a single problem with.​

 

[T Hi]

Quote:
I want one! I want one!!

Wonder what it would cost to ship to the US? What is the price for it? I did not find one on the site.

 

[tia]

I just bought an R-Com 20. It rolls them around too. It doesn't look like it holds as many eggs though. It holds 20. I have it full of chicken eggs right now and it is the first time I used it.

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/R-Com-20-Digital-Incubator/advanced-incubators

 

[destinduck]

T Hi I would mainly listen to duckyfromoz because you are hatching runners and IMO she is the Indian runner Queen

Everyone has made some valid points also. First it depends on the type duck eggs,Then where you live for your area's humidity. Third what kind of incubator(and what you are willing to spend) There is a difference in hatching techniques even between a Indian runner and a call duck. Then its a whole different set of rules for the exotic and wild type ducks (mainly what I raise now). I hate to say it but the LG you have really flucuates alot on the temp. But thats what you got for now but dont buy one. For about the same price a hovabator is really good and the forced air one better. Or a Brinsea, after that its 500 dollars or better for the big cabinet type for hatching ALOT of eggs. Like Ducky said lay em on their side (best). Auto turn em if you dont have time AND hand turn em ( what I do) keep water in your pan and put a sponge in the last week. Mist them if you want although on runners its not that critical. And you should have runners running all over in 26-29 days.(there isnt the perfect 28 days trust me) good luck

Runners are an easy duck to hatch.

 

[T Hi]

Quote:
WOW! That is a nice bator too! However a bit out of my price range!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I was tossing up if I should get an Rcom 50 or the one I did buy. Mine has the benefit of having the hatching tray as well- so I can actually fit more eggs in- I havent tested it yet to see just how many I cant fit- but often use the bottom and hand turn as well. I also knew that when the Rcom 20 first came out- there were some big problems- so didnt want to risk issues with a relatively untested new model. The IM's we have here in Australia are modified for Australian conditions by the manufacturer - but I cant remember where they are actually imported from. Mine was $900 AUD when I bought it- but I have noticed that now out of season there are some good sale prices available on some models. Like a lot of seasonal products- buying out of season can often make something you thought out of reach, much more affordable.
When quoting how many eggs a bator holds- an average chicken egg is used- but with duck eggs being bigger often not as many can fit in.

 

[destinduck]

Quote:
WOW! That is a nice bator too! However a bit out of my price range!

Yea Its a nice one for sure But If Im gonna spend that much I am definitely getting one that holds more eggs. I can hold 48 eggs in one hovabator (this is why I like them more than brinsea or other bators) and its under 100 dollars with autoturner brand new. I got a forced air hovabator with autoturner for only 25 dollars at an auction! There are sometimes deals on bators on craigslist and E-bay.