Wood duck eggs

[luckyweisser69]

What is the best way to hatch wood duck eggs... Can i incubate in an incubator or is that not a good idea

 

[shicks0211]

you can..many people do it..they're kind of tricky..some people start them under a broody chicken or duck and then put them in the incubator for the last couple weeks..but it's possible to do it..

 

[luckyweisser69]

Anyone have good experience with hatching wood duck eggs mandarian eggs going straight in the incubator after being layed i need some advice on how to incubatey duck eggs

 

[shicks0211]

make sure the temp is consistant, 99.6 -99.8..keep the humidity at 60% to 65% until lockdown, then up it to about 75% or so for the hatch. Candle them after 7 days (i'm assuming you have an automatic turner as I do) get rid of the eggs that aren't forming. Basically with Mandarins you just have to try not to handle them too much..don't candle them a ton..be patient and turn and wait and they should hatch. I have some in my bator right now..the hatch rate isn't quite as good as with the hardier breeds like pekin but with mandarins i have about 70%...other breeds i'm at about 90%..so it's not horrible..but mandarins are a fragile breed..so make sure you're incubator is clean before you put them in, and try not to open the incubator a bunch.

 

[luckyweisser69]

I have an old sportsman 1502 incubator any ideas on how to keep the humidity up to 75%

 

[shicks0211]

put damp towels in there..mist the eggs ..put a cup of water in with the eggs..and keep it shut most of the time..the humidity will climb up there.