[Melias farm]

This is my 1st time hatching. It’s day 21 and 1 of the Cayuga eggs have cracked!
It started with a 1cm crack on the outer shell (membrane didn’t seem broken). Came back after feeding the crew and saw another 1 1/2” crack the other side!
I’ve taken everything out of the wracks and turned the auto turner off.

I’m guessing there’s little chance of survival being so early hatching

[chrismahon]

My book says Ornamental ducks can hatch from day 22, so they may not be as early as you think? Have you asked the egg supplier when they normally hatch?

[Melias farm]

[member=23925]chrismahon[/member]  I’ve messaged the seller on eBay I bought them from. I’m waiting to hear back.
It looks like a 2nd egg is hatching.
I’ve read that Cayuga ducks hatch on day 28, if they hatch this early it’s an issue

[Richmond]

1. The temp of the incubator may be slightly higher thus forcing an earlier hatch. Once this hatch has finished check the temp (by independent thermometer placed inside) and get it recalibrated if necessary.
2. The eggs may have been "started" prior to you purchasing them. A postal journey does not always render them unviable if they are handled carefully.
3. They are not duck eggs, or are a duck breed that hatches earlier than 28 days. What colour are they?

If none of the above then you may find they are just pipping early but will then rest for 24 - 48 hours before moving on to breaking out. Just make sure the humidity is at least 60% so the membranes don't dry out.

[Melias farm]

[member=206414]Richmond[/member]
Thank you!
My dad was pressing buttons the other day. He doesn’t have any clues about what he’s doing. Alarm was beeping away when I found it later on. It was for about 5 hours.
Otherwise it’s all looking good using the incubator thermometer (it’s 1st use brinsea 28 egg one). I regret not getting the plus. I bought it in a store that didn’t carry the plus.
Next 1 I buy will be the plus.
What I’ve done is taken the racks out so the eggs are all laying down (we were on lockdown from Sunday anyway).
Is it best to carry in turning them please?

I did wonder if they had been started before hand.
I’ve attached a photo of the eggs I’m hatching atm.

[Richmond]

Now I thought Cayuga eggs were black ......certainly at the start of the season anyway.
But it looks like you have chicken eggs in there too? Not something I would recommend tbh.
Even if they all manage to hatch despite requiring different hatching conditions (ideally higher humidity for waterfowl), the young will need separate brooders. Chicks need very dry and clean conditions, and a different feed from the ducklings. Ducklings are very messy, will require a lot of water and a specific waterfowl crumb - do not feed them ordinary chick crumb as it is a) too high in protein which may cause a deformity called angel wing, and b) if you are feeding medicated crumb (with added coccidiostat) it can make them ill.
I think all you can do now is wait and watch.

[chrismahon]

My first thought was you have chicken eggs, but dismissed it as silly, but then they are from ebay. Certainly stop turning as that is only necessary for the first two weeks.


As said, you may have a mix, but you won't know until the first hatches. My fingers are crossed for you.

[Melias farm]

Argh what feed should I have for them?
I have a separate brooder for them all.

I was told chick crumb is fine for both.
I’ve seen angel wing. Definitely not something I want to cause in any of my birds thank you all for mother advice

I was advised j was ok hatching ducks and chickens together.
Lesson learnt

[Richmond]

Feed for chicks: Any reputable brand of chick crumb will be fine. Your choice whether you go for medicated or not. Personally I never feed medicated crumb to chicks, I don't think it's necessary as long as you run a tight ship and keep youngsters clean and dry - daily mucking out of the brooder till they are off heat and old enough to go outside on grass. Move onto grower pellet gradually from about 5 weeks onwards. Do not mix with adult hens until point of lay where they can move onto layer pellet and their immune systems are mature enough to cope with the influx of new bugs. They will also be of sufficient size to cope with the inevitable bullying.

Feed for ducklings: Waterfowl crumb. Ducks do not need such a high protein requirement as chicks. If they get too much at critical development stages this is when deformities occur.
Then waterfowl grower pellet, then layer pellet at POL, same as chickens. At this point chickens and ducks can eat the same layer pellet.

Hope this helps.

[Melias farm]

I’m sooo glad I asked this question now. I did ask what they should be fed and was told chick crumb!
I’ll go and get some today. Thank you again