[doganjo]

I have 5 duck eggs in the incubator that should have started hatching today, but so far there's no sign of anything.  I forgot to stop the cradle three days ago, just remembered yesterday - will that have killed the embryos?

[Daveravey]

I'm not sure Annie, as a broody will still move about a little & in turn move the eggs.

I'm sure temp & humidity is more important at that stage.

I'd still give them another couple of days before binning the eggs.

[faith0504]

oh bless will keep everything crossed for you, i hope they hatch

[doganjo]

I'm not sure Annie, as a broody will still move about a little & in turn move the eggs.

I'm sure temp & humidity is more important at that stage.

I'd still give them another couple of days before binning the eggs.

I've had water in much earlier this time because only 4 hatched out of nine last time, and the temperature is kept steady by the machine.  So temp and humidity should be OK

[jameslindsay]

Can you hear any chirping or see the eggs move Annie?

[fizzgigg]

shud be ok ive done the same thing before and still had a decent hatch fingers crossed for you sweet xx

[Rosemary]

Fingers crossed

[egglady]

any news annie?  you just never know......

[little blue]

I have 5 duck eggs in the incubator that should have started hatching today, but so far there's no sign of anything.  I forgot to stop the cradle three days ago, just remembered yesterday - will that have killed the embryos?

it shouldn't kill them... but might make them abit dizzy (!)
they might take a little longer to start hatching, if they try and right themselves.

just keep a close eye for signs, in case they are trying to come out the "wrong end" of the egg...

fingers crossed   

[Hermit]

Let us know as I am sure it wont be the first or last time this will be done on here Just had a hatch this morning...6 out of 11 Swedish Blues so far.!

[doganjo]

No sign as yet.  Just going to check the dates again.  One was put in a day after the others, and none of them had been in the fridge.  All had something in them at 14 days.

[Garvo UK]

Hello No you wont have killed them, if they are going to hatch they still will so please dont worry.

Jonathan

[darkbrowneggs]

Hi - don't forget you start the day count from when eggs have reached the correct temperature so generally add on a day to the timings.  Plus the larger the egg the longer it will take to hatch, plus very old or very new eggs will take longer also.

I always give my Marans eggs 3 or 4 days grace just to be on the safe side. 

I often don't bother to take them out of the rocker until the first one begins to cheep or pip, and I don't think it makes much difference.  Early chicks will often hatch in the rocker, climb out and fall to the bottom and still be fine.

Relax and enjoy, and if, heavens forfend, any don't hatch, then just think that they wouldn't have done anyway

The majority of egg deaths are caused in the first few days of incubation anyway - its just the stress of hatching brings these problems to a crisis.

All the best
Sue

[doganjo]

I'll leave them till after Tuesday then - they were about one/two days old when I put them in and the incubator hadn't been on long, so lets say Friday was due date, plus one for heating time, plus one for new eggs - so thy should start Monday at latest shouldn't they?  As I said there was life there at about 14 days, a very experienced friend checked them at our CSSA barbecue on 22nd August.

[sheardale]

Annie, any news yet of the ducks.
Helen