The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Earth Ways on March 29, 2013, 09:12:47 am

Title: Ducks in an incubator. 2 DAYS late. What to do?
Post by: Earth Ways on March 29, 2013, 09:12:47 am

Hi Everyone,

We have duck eggs in an incubator. They are 2 days late to hatch. There is life, movement and a bit of sound in them. Do we need to intervene and open the shells?

Many thanks
Ludwig

Title: Re: Ducks in an incubator. 2 DAYS late. What to do?
Post by: Daisys Mum on March 29, 2013, 09:38:14 am

Have they pipped yet? And is the humidity high enough? Sounds as if they are doing ok

Title: Re: Ducks in an incubator. 2 DAYS late. What to do?
Post by: sabrina on March 29, 2013, 10:51:46 am

We have helped birds hatch in the past but it is risky slow job. Hens help their chicks, you should google for I am sure there are web sites that show you how to do this. If left too long they die, shells maybe too hard. Our eggs had started pipping and got stuck so we knew to help.

Title: Re: Ducks in an incubator. 2 DAYS late. What to do?
Post by: chrismahon on March 31, 2013, 08:20:23 am

Difficult decision Earth Ways. If they are all late it may be the temperature was too low, despite what the gauge said. In which case I would hold off helping them as to rupture the membrane before they are ready and they will bleed to death.