Author Topic: My latest Incubations (Read 2561 times)

whitby_sam · « **on:** March 13, 2010, 03:33:37 pm »

Bought 18 duck eggs (12 Khaki Campbells and 6 Indian Runners) from a very reputable Ebayer who I've had dealings with in the past. I checked them after 24 days and found that only 6 Khaki Campbells were developed. The other 12 were non starters.

I contacted the Ebayer and told him what had happened and to my suprise he's offered to replace all 12 of the non-starters! Now that's what I call service! I really can't say enough good things about this guy, he's been helpful all the way through!

We also had 4 locally sourced Embden Goose eggs in the other incubator one of which was cracked and we removed as soon as we noticed the smell (not pleasant). I candled them at the same time and found only one developed (probably a Gander too knowing my luck!)

In summary, 1 out of 4 locally sourced eggs has come good, 6 out of 18 posted eggs have come good (with a second chance on the 12 failed) so by my statistics...

On another note, I intend to put the lone Gosling in the brooder with the Ducklings (who will be a few days older) as they're all going to share the same shed anyway. My thoughts being that the sooner they're introduced, the better...

I'll then be attempting another 6 locally sourced Goose eggs in one incubator and the 12 second chance ducks in the other to see how they go. I may be tempted at this point to add 6 chicken eggs to the duck incubator after 7 days to really confuse the issue!

Any thoughts?

Hermit · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2010, 04:39:08 pm »

I would have thought it was a bit too early to have the drakes/ganders reliably fertilising the eggs. The second batch should be better as the dads will be up to scratch in the fertility department. Hermit

whitby_sam · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:46:03 pm »

Duck eggs are now pipping! Exciting! Can't wait til we have little ducklings scampering about!

harry · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2010, 05:57:36 pm »

do goose eggs do well in incubators ? i have chinese hope to hatch a few as apparently these are the best egg layers 60 plus pa, i havent seen them mate yet but that doesnt mean much, one has built its own nest will the others lay in that nest or will i need more nesting material for the other 2

whitby_sam · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2010, 07:55:48 pm »

I've had 1 developed out of 4 but saying that they were the very first few eggs of the year (started on valentines day) so that doesn't say much. My 1 developed egg is due to hatch on Saturday so will let you know. Would be interested in taking some eggs off you but I'm from North Yorkshire so would have to save up for a trip to Norfolk or will maybe have to collect mext time I'm passing (which is usually Summer for some VW or Ford RS show or other).
I'm not going to be beaten, I'm going to put another 8-10 (whatever will fit) in and give it another try.

As far as I know geese will share an established nest between two or three of them so no need to build another. I guess its an instinct thing and if one of yours decides to build another nest away from the existing one then that's her choice but not necessarily a requirement.

suziequeue · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2010, 08:46:39 am »

What can be done with the eggs that don't develop?

Are they just chucked in the bin for landfill? or can they be composted? fed to pigs?

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Susanna

whitby_sam · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2010, 09:55:42 am »

I compost mine

whitby_sam · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2010, 10:54:53 am »

5 Cute little wobbly ducklings so far... I've taken the Goose egg off the auto-turner and put the remaining duck egg in with it so I can prepare Incubator 1 for my hybrids. Collected 10 eggs so far, will collect 5 more tomorrow and then set it all in motion again...

I'm really looking forward to the goose egg hatching! As soon as the gosling and the 6th duckling are dried off I'll put them in the brooder with the other ducklings so they have some company.

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2010, 11:45:01 am »

im sure you know but the goose will need turf.

whitby_sam · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2010, 11:52:23 am »

I didn't know that, thanks for telling me. Will it need the same amount of care ie heat lamp etc? How much turf? Is that so it can graze? I'm glad you told me!

whitby_sam · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2010, 09:13:52 am »

No signs of the goose egg pipping yet... Now on day 34

shetlandpaul · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2010, 11:15:31 am »

it depends. if you can foster them on to your geese then a few weeks under the lamp. they need access to grass . we ended up walking the geese a couple of times a day. if your stuck with it untill its its independent i would leave it with your ducks. the draw back is you wont want to eat it afterward. hope it hatches they are very funny when young.