![]() ![]() The ducklings will move into ‘hatch position’ and the eggs should not be moved from this point on. The eggs should get one last turn, cool and mist and the humidity should be increased in the incubator. At that point, one last candling should be done and any eggs not showing development discarded so only viable embryos remain. Studies have shown this can greatly improve hatch rates.Ĭontinue turning, cooling and misting the eggs until day 26. This mimics a mother duck leaving the nest each day to find something to eat and maybe take a short swim, returning wet to her nest. Then mist each egg with lukewarm water and replace the lid. Once a day, remove the lid of the incubator and leave it off for 30 minutes. Starting on day ten, the eggs will benefit from daily misting and cooling. Contaminated eggs can explode and contaminate other eggs. If you see a reddish ring inside the egg, that ‘blood ring’ indicates bacteria has gotten inside and it should be discarded. By day ten, candling will show significant expansion of the air sac in the blunt end of the egg and a developing embryo. This prevents the developing embryo from sticking to the shell.įive days into the incubation, you should be able to see some veining and development when you candle the eggs. If you are manually turning your eggs, you want to turn them a minimum of five times a day - turning 180 degrees side to side each time - so the egg spends every other night on the opposite side. The humidity level should be 45-55% for the first 25 days and then increased to 65% for the last three days. Place the eggs in the incubator with the pointy end down and set your incubator in a quiet location out of direct sunlight where it won’t be bothered by children or pets.ĭuck eggs incubate at a temperature between 99.3 and 99.6 (but again, check the setting for your particular model) for 28 days. This will serve as your guide when turning the eggs (if your incubator has an auto turner, you can skip this step). When you are ready to set your eggs, mark an X on one side with a pencil. Eggs will stay viable for at least a week after being laid. Rotate the eggs side to side several times a day until you’ve collected enough to fill your incubator. Store your eggs pointy end down at a 45 degree angle in a cool location (around 60 degrees). “Candle” each egg to check for hairline cracks and discard any cracked eggs (use a regular flashlight and cup your hand around the beam to shine it through the shell). Don’t choose small or large eggs because they tend to not hatch well. Don’t wash them, instead carefully scrape off any muck with your fingernail or a rough sponge. If you have your own fertile eggs, pick the most uniform, preferably not covered with mud or manure. Shipped eggs are often jostled and have a far lower hatch rate than eggs that don’t have to be shipped. If you can find eggs from a local farm, that’s even better. Various types of incubators work slightly differently, so it’s important to read the instruction manual for your particular model, but here are some general tips for a successful hatch.īe sure to order your hatching eggs from a reputable breeder or hatchery. sit on fertile eggs until they hatch), so hatching eggs in an incubator is generally your best bet. When she does leave her nest, the duck hen covers her eggs with additional down and nesting material to help keep the eggs warm in her absence.Hatching your own ducklings is a wonderful way to start, or add to, your backyard flock. ![]() How often do ducks sit on their eggs?Ī mother duck sits on her eggs for 20 to 23 hours a day, taking an average of three breaks, each lasting around an hour at a time. A large wood or rubber container will make an excellent nesting box. Put the box in a quiet, secluded area of the duck enclosure or yard. Pekins will lay their eggs anywhere, but a well-designed nesting box will encourage them to lay eggs in the box. Eggs from Muscovy ducks hatch in about 35 days after setting. How long does it take for Pekin duck eggs to hatch?Įggs from common ducks like Pekins require 28 days to hatch. It is against state and federal law to move, disturb or destroy the nest or eggs. If you find a duck nest in your yard, leave it alone. If you do find a nest, the mother will move them to water shortly after hatching. See also What Kind Of Animal Sounds Like A Duck? Can you move duck eggs? ![]()
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