when to candle duck eggs

[Jenifer72]

When should you be able to see developement in duck eggs? Since they take a week longer are they slower developing in the beginning?

 

[asher]

Yes, they are slower to start, too. I would say around 10-14 days or so, you should be able to definitely see growth in there.

 

[katharinad]

You can see blood vessels as early as day 4. Best is to check on day 7 and from there on every week. You should see blood vessels at day 7, but I usually keep those without any for another week to make sure. I sort the eggs in the incubator accordingly. If they are clear at week 2 they will be tossed, so they don't explode in the incubator. You may even hear a heartbeat at day 7 with a stethoscope. You will hear it at day 10 for sure. It's a very dull beat, not fast, just a regular pulse sound. I've purchased a stethoscope for under 4 dollars on ebay, and it works well. Even Walmart carries the cheap ones.
Katharina

 

[asher]

I have hatched out eleventy million (slight exaggeration ;-) ) eggs and never knew about the stethoscope and pulse thing! That's awesome! Will have to try it with the kids. Stupid question, is that for ANY kind of hatching eggs or just larger like ducks, geese, etc.?

 

[katharinad]

I've only used it on duck eggs, but think it should work with other eggs too. Didn't have the stethoscope with the quail eggs. One thing to remember is to turn off the incubator and the egg turner (if used) to cut out those noises. Don't forget to turn them back on once done (have done that once, noticed 20 minutes later). No need to lift the eggs. The stethoscope needs to be placed in the lower half of the egg, and you may need to find the side where the heart is closer too. Gives you a clearer louder sound. I usually mark the spot where I can hear the clearest.
Katharina

 

[glenolam]

Personally, I LOVE candling duck eggs WAY more than chicken eggs. They are usualy more clear, obviously bigger, and we can always see little bills and feet moving around the 3rd week.

Good luck!

 

[Jenifer72]

awesome! Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[critterranch]

totally awesome!

 

[HntrInTheWoods]

Just checked my only survivor on Day 9, saw three little dark dots moving around in there, and plenty of blood vessels. Can't wait to see how it's progressed a week from now.

(Just noticed my response was only 7 years too late. haha. Oh well.)