[doganjo]

Looks like out of 6 ducks eggs due to hatch yesterday, 4 have cracked, one of those is cheeping so is alive.  Nothing on the other two as yet but fingers crossed.

[OhLaLa]

Leave them for a couple of days longer, poss temp has been a bit low.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[doganjo]

I don't move the newly hatched out of the incy for a full day anyway, so they'll still have a chance.  The last lot were spread over three days fromt eh first crack.  Temp is correct at 37.4 C

[OhLaLa]

Mine were due to hatch Sunday, last one hatched yesterday. I have just three eggs left in there, unpipped, will be turning the incubator off later this evening and putting the last babbie in the 'nursery' with the others.

I don't know what incubator you use, before this one I used to have a Brinsea Octagon 20 but the results were never very good so I got rid and bought diff make which I'm really pleased with.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

[doganjo]

I don't know what incubator you use, before this one I used to have a Brinsea Octagon 20 but the results were never very good so I got rid and bought diff make which I'm really pleased with.
Let us know how you get on.

That's exactly what this is - not mine, belongs to a  friend.  No luck last time but we think it was too hot, and the first time we only had 5 out of nine.  This time 5 are half out and one not pipped yet, but the egg was a day later than the others.  They seem to have hatched in date order - is that normal?  I sprayed them this tome as James suggested, and only put water in when I stopped the rocker 4 days ago.  Will leave them alone now till this evening and transfer the fit ones to the box with the heat lamp in the dining room.  That's the only door I can secure to stop the cat going in, as he likes boxes!

[OhLaLa]

If an egg went in a day later then it will be later hatching. Usually all the eggs would go in on the same day.

Maybe I've misunderstood, but with regard to water: It is usually placed in the lower 'tray' (about halfway), then the incubator is left to come up to temperature. Then the eggs are added. You need to make sure the water is checked every couple of days and topped up accordingly. Once the first egg pips the water is topped up even more (as per the instructions for the incubator). Then you leave well alone (as it is important the humidity level is correct). If you didn't add water and only sprayed I'm not sure there will have been enough moisture in the incubator atmosphere.

 

Yes, pussycats love cardboard boxes, mine love them better than any specially bought fleecy blanket. Bless.

 

[doganjo]

If an egg went in a day later then it will be later hatching. Usually all the eggs would go in on the same day.

Maybe I've misunderstood, but with regard to water: It is usually placed in the lower 'tray' (about halfway), then the incubator is left to come up to temperature. Then the eggs are added. You need to make sure the water is checked every couple of days and topped up accordingly. Once the first egg pips the water is topped up even more (as per the instructions for the incubator). Then you leave well alone (as it is important the humidity level is correct). If you didn't add water and only sprayed I'm not sure there will have been enough moisture in the incubator atmosphere.

Because of our humid(or rather, WET ) atmosphere in Scotland I was advised we don't need much water actually in the incubator.    I was told that being laid later can sometimes make them a little later in pipping and that seems to have been the case in this instance. What I've been doing seems to have worked anyway as they are all almost completely out of their shells and the 6th one has cracked.  This one was a day later in being laid but went in the incubator at the same time.  Will look at tehm again at teatime and tyake photos.  Have got the heat lamp on in readiness for transferring them to their broody box.

[BlueDaisy]

How exciting!
We need pictures

[doganjo]

When I came back in from walking the dogs I found a dead one - still attached to it's yolk sac so must have come out a little too soon.  One very well by the looks of it, the others still sitting in their shells and the last one just cracked.  Don't want to move any of them till they are all free of their shells but it's tight in that incubator.  Will see how things are in the morning, then take photos

[BlueDaisy]

Hope they are all doing okay this morning

[doganjo]

3 fit and well and transferred to the brooder box, one with a flipping out leg and a bit weak (although very vocal)so in my bosey right now The one that cracked last night is dead I think - beak out but no response when I flicked it.  Left it in the incy meantime in case it is just exhausted.  Might have been smothered by the others.  You learn lessons in this game.  Won't leave any in the incy next time that are mobile.  Have put big flat dog dish of water(just a small amount) in the box and a dish of moistened chick crumbs but they aren't interested yet. The egg marked 7/9 is the one left in the incubator just now, but no sign of life.  Still, if these four survive I've trebled my duck numbers. Just hope they aren't all drakes or Jack won't be best pleased.   I've already told him his daughters are coming to stay

[doganjo]

Sad to say the one with the damaged leg obviously couldn't move very well and I found it dead this morning - in the very flat plastic plate that I'd put literally a dribble of water in.  Going to put the last three eggs in the incubator for one last try before winter.  I'm better at breeding dogs I think.

[doganjo]

The three musketeers - eating, drinking, pooing but not necessarily in that order, nor in equal proportions

[BlueDaisy]

Sorry about the one with the dodgy leg but the other three look very cute!
Hope it all goes well from here.

[doganjo]

Sorry about the one with the dodgy leg but the other three look very cute!
Hope it all goes well from here.

Thanks, all fine so far - have put 2 more eggs in incy after cleaning and disinfecting as I had been hoping on having five more ducks.