Wiggling duck eggs

[indianaducks]

I hatch ducklings every spring and each batch is always a little different for when they start to wiggle, chirp, internal and external pip etc. I've had them start wiggling as early as day 22 and I've had batches that never wiggled at all, but still hatched just fine. I remove the turner the same day every hatch regardless and let them do their thing.

Good to know! I've never hatched before, so I'm relieved that wiggling can be normal. Two more days until lockdown and removing the turner!

 

[indianaducks]

No internal pipping yet. Just candled. Guess I can leave them alone for tonight and check back on them in the morning. Omg I want them to hatch!!!

 

[indianaducks]

Is this the beginning of an internal pip? Or just breathing or what?

 

[indianaducks]

Video of another egg candled. Is this internal pip? (Yes I'm paranoid and excited and worried LOL)

 

[nchls school]

Yes, internal pipping has started. Remove the egg turner and make sure the water is such that a duckling cannot fall in and drown. Actual hatch could be days away so try to be patient. Try, also, to keep the incubator closed. Opening it will change the temperature and humidity at a crucial time.

Remember to fill the water reservoir.

 

[indianaducks]

Yes, internal pipping has started. Remove the egg turner and make sure the water is such that a duckling cannot fall in and drown. Actual hatch could be days away so try to be patient. Try, also, to keep the incubator closed. Opening it will change the temperature and humidity at a crucial time.

Remember to fill the water reservoir.

Turner removed
Water filled
Thank you so much!

 

[nchls school]

Turner removed
Water filled
Thank you so much!

So you know, it's more important to not open the incubator after external pipping occurs. Once the eggs have a hole in them the insides are more apt to be affected by the opening of the incubator. Interior changes are slower before that. The biggest problem with opening the incubator after external pipping is the lowering of humidity and the membranes getting too dry as a result making it impossible for the duckling to hatch. Having ducklings die like that is very disappointing.

 

[indianaducks]

So you know, it's more important to not open the incubator after external pipping occurs. Once the eggs have a hole in them the insides are more apt to be affected by the opening of the incubator. Interior changes are slower before that. The biggest problem with opening the incubator after external pipping is the lowering of humidity and the membranes getting too dry as a result making it impossible for the duckling to hatch. Having ducklings die like that is very disappointing.

Ok good to know. Thank you so much

 

[ThinMintTheChicken]

Ok good to know. Thank you so much

Yay! Ducklings are adorable. My crossbeak chicken Thin Mint (showed in my profile picture) successfully hatched a clutch of 6 duck eggs this summer and they were the cutest things following her around. I'm so excited for you!

 

[nchls school]

My mallard has eight new ducklings this morning; a nice start to the day!