| Hatching Ducks - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
I've got several duck eggs I'm trying to hatch. Here's what I've done:
1. Candled at 10 days--saw veins, look viable
2. Turned eggs 3 times a day for 25 days
3. Kept temperature at 100 degrees and humidity at 60%
(still air incubator--humidity measured with hydro found in home units)
]
4. Egg kept at 100 degress except for time required to turn.
5. Eggs handled gently--washed hands with soap and water before
touching
6. Eggs kept level
I'm on day 31 tommorrow--
Other than waiting to see if they hatch--how do I tell at this point if
they are still viable?
I can see the air sac on each egg but that's all. Other research says
this breed should have hatched at 28 days. Raised a hatchling last year
that mother duck had left--this year a hawk killed the mother. Can
handle post hatch, just need to get there.
Thanks
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| Paulo |
I dont now much about ducks, but i think by now the eggs should be dark, I
mean when you see with the candle method.
Have you notice a change during this time?
--
Paulo
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111293309.435128.325010@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I've got several duck eggs I'm trying to hatch. Here's what I've done:
>
> 1. Candled at 10 days--saw veins, look viable
> 2. Turned eggs 3 times a day for 25 days
> 3. Kept temperature at 100 degrees and humidity at 60%
> (still air incubator--humidity measured with hydro found in home units)
> ]
> 4. Egg kept at 100 degress except for time required to turn.
> 5. Eggs handled gently--washed hands with soap and water before
> touching
> 6. Eggs kept level
>
> I'm on day 31 tommorrow--
>
> Other than waiting to see if they hatch--how do I tell at this point if
> they are still viable?
>
> I can see the air sac on each egg but that's all. Other research says
> this breed should have hatched at 28 days. Raised a hatchling last year
> that mother duck had left--this year a hawk killed the mother. Can
> handle post hatch, just need to get there.
>
> Thanks
>
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| Anonny Moose |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111293309.435128.325010@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
I'm on day 31 tommorrow--
>
> Other than waiting to see if they hatch--how do I tell at this point if
> they are still viable?
>
Try posting to sci.agriculture.poultry
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| Joanne |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111293309.435128.325010@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> I've got several duck eggs I'm trying to hatch. Here's what I've done:
>
> 1. Candled at 10 days--saw veins, look viable
> 2. Turned eggs 3 times a day for 25 days
> 3. Kept temperature at 100 degrees and humidity at 60%
> (still air incubator--humidity measured with hydro found in home units)
> ]
> 4. Egg kept at 100 degress except for time required to turn.
> 5. Eggs handled gently--washed hands with soap and water before
> touching
> 6. Eggs kept level
>
> I'm on day 31 tommorrow--
>
> Other than waiting to see if they hatch--how do I tell at this point if
> they are still viable?
>
> I can see the air sac on each egg but that's all. Other research says
> this breed should have hatched at 28 days. Raised a hatchling last year
> that mother duck had left--this year a hawk killed the mother. Can
> handle post hatch, just need to get there.
>
> Thanks
Sounds like you did things right. If they are alive, you should see some
movement at the air cell (duckling pushing against the membrane).
I never was successful at hatching swan eggs but the parents do it with
ease. I read that I may not have had the humidity high enough at the end
(waterfowl are not like parrots) and the cygnets couldn't pip the shell.
They would make it right to the end and then expire. It always breaks my
heart; I bond easily.
--
Sincerely,
Joanne
If it's right for you, then it's right, . . . . . for you!!!
Play - http://www.jobird.com
Pay for Play - http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm
Looking for Love? - http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Garden Kinder CDs
http://www.jobird.com/cd/gardenkinderhome.html
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
To Paulo--the eggs are dark.
To Moose-wil post on sci.ag
Thanks to all
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
Joanne--
Checked this morning--one pipping at 33 days. I'll keep my fingers
crossed.
New data I guess for wood ducks--33 days to pipping at 100 degrees in
still air inc.
Next year if mother duck gets killed I' try 101 F and see if it makes a
difference in hatch time.]
Thanks everyone and wish me luck--the little guy,s not out yet.
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
Last question--
Once pipping begins--how long before hatching--its been very quiet for
four hours now.
Do I need to intervene?
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| Joanne |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111436184.005702.212950@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Last question--
>
> Once pipping begins--how long before hatching--its been very quiet for
> four hours now.
>
> Do I need to intervene?
My biggest error has been helping when I should not have.
Parrots can take two days from the first pip mark.
The pipping is caused by the chick's need for oxygen and the involuntary
spasms of oxygen deprivation. He may have pipped enough to stop the spasms.
I'd leave him go. He's probably trying to absorb his yolk sac and withdraw
his blood vessels into his little belly. If you step in too soon, you could
see hemorrhaging.
It's a marvelous process.
--
Sincerely,
Joanne
If it's right for you, then it's right, . . . . . for you!!!
Play - http://www.jobird.com
Pay for Play - http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm
Looking for Love? - http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Garden Kinder CDs
http://www.jobird.com/cd/gardenkinderhome.html
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| Stroud |
On 21-Mar-2005, cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com wrote:
> New data I guess for wood ducks--33 days to pipping at 100 degrees in
> still air inc.
>
> Next year if mother duck gets killed I' try 101 F and see if it makes a
> difference in hatch time.]
>
> Thanks everyone and wish me luck--the little guy,s not out yet.
You are lucky that they incubated to hatch at 100F. Max is usually 99.7
most people prefer 99 - 99.5. The still air incubator might make a
difference
as temperature zones occur which might possibly have had an actual
temp lower than 100 deg. If you try them at 101 deg you might just as well
save yourself the effort and boil them instead.
Birdman.
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
Update--one pipping egg I open slightly at the air sac end yesterday.
Could see a little duck bill and it was moving and pipping. Next
morning no change, so I opened the shell an allowed little one to
emmerge--doing ok--moving around and drying off. Some movement in
another egg--will let nature take its course on this--humidity 85%.
Brooder preheated to 95 degrees and ready for the new born when he/she
dries off. ;-))
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| Joanne |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111529117.937051.211130@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Update--one pipping egg I open slightly at the air sac end yesterday.
> Could see a little duck bill and it was moving and pipping. Next
> morning no change, so I opened the shell an allowed little one to
> emmerge--doing ok--moving around and drying off. Some movement in
> another egg--will let nature take its course on this--humidity 85%.
>
> Brooder preheated to 95 degrees and ready for the new born when he/she
> dries off. ;-))
Congratulations. Ducklings are the cutest babies. I hope the next one
makes it. They do better with others than alone. I don't know why.
--
Sincerely,
Joanne
If it's right for you, then it's right, . . . . . for you!!!
Play - http://www.jobird.com
Pay for Play - http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm
Looking for Love? - http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Garden Kinder CDs
http://www.jobird.com/cd/gardenkinderhome.html
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
To All--eggs hatched and all are doing well--everyone in brooder--they
seem to enjoy being stroked with a dry soft water color brush-- also
I've been using the same brush dipped in water to give them a little
drink until they can find the watering pan under the wire screen of
their cage.
To Stroud--
Thanks for the input.
First time for me hatching eggs and was confused--incubator book said
100 degrees--chicken book said 99.5 degrees for forced air, 102 for
still air incubator--Metzer Farms said 99.5.
Somewhere I read if temperature is to low the eggs will take longer
than 28 days to hatch--mine took 33 day--therefore I thought perhaps
101 degrees might be better.
Will stick with 100 degrees based on your recomendations--thanks.
Again, thanks to all for your help!!
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Joanne" <Joanne@jobirdnest.com> wrote in message
news:7a70e.1762$gI5.1736@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Congratulations. Ducklings are the cutest babies.
They are indeed. I have 5 baby indian runner ducks :0)
They don't half make a flipping mess though.
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| Joanne |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowl @talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:TKl0e.462$CF.24065@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>
> "Joanne" <Joanne@jobirdnest.com> wrote in message
> news:7a70e.1762$gI5.1736@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Congratulations. Ducklings are the cutest babies.
> They are indeed. I have 5 baby indian runner ducks :0)
> They don't half make a flipping mess though.
Do you know what a Slip 'N Slide is?
You can make your own with a little grass and a few duckies or one swan.
--
Sincerely,
Joanne
If it's right for you, then it's right, . . . . . for you!!!
Play - http://www.jobird.com
Pay for Play - http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm
Looking for Love? - http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Garden Kinder CDs
http://www.jobird.com/cd/gardenkinderhome.html
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| James |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111601541.647027.7410@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> To All--eggs hatched and all are doing well--everyone in brooder--they
> seem to enjoy being stroked with a dry soft water color brush-- also
> I've been using the same brush dipped in water to give them a little
> drink until they can find the watering pan under the wire screen of
> their cage.
>
> To Stroud--
>
> Thanks for the input.
>
> First time for me hatching eggs and was confused--incubator book said
> 100 degrees--chicken book said 99.5 degrees for forced air, 102 for
> still air incubator--Metzer Farms said 99.5.
>
> Somewhere I read if temperature is to low the eggs will take longer
> than 28 days to hatch--mine took 33 day--therefore I thought perhaps
> 101 degrees might be better.
>
> Will stick with 100 degrees based on your recomendations--thanks.
>
> Again, thanks to all for your help!!
Did it once with a light bulb and a thermometer and got a healthy domestic
duck. I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to see
him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a threat.
>
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| Laurie |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowl @talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:TKl0e.462$CF.24065@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> They are indeed. I have 5 baby indian runner ducks :0)
> They don't half make a flipping mess though.
>
I had a pet IR duckling last summer, was two days off a nest so I brought
her in and put her in a brooder. She was the sweetest little thing and I
swear she thought I was her mom. She lived in a big cage in my room until
she got too big and too messy (Damn! Duck poop stinks!) so out to the pond
with the others she went. I love ducks!
Laurie
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
Raised an abandoned male wood duck baby last year--while vacationing in
our RV, I would let him out the window each morning and he would fly to
the pond for a swim. Hawk/owl attacked him one overcast morning taking
him to the ground (just three feet from the window.) I was in shock but
able to get outside before a death bite and managed to save him. No
wonder mother ducks raise so many chicks.
Later
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to see
> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a threat.
This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small chicks should
be kept away from drakes and cobs.
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| Wheeler |
Has been a few years since we raised ducks and geese out here at the farm
but my recollection was that the ganders were rather protective of the
goslings. Even yearling "extra" males worked to defend and protect the
young......
Bob Wheeler
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:sry0e.472$CF.24391@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>
> "James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
> news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
> I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
>> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to see
>> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a threat.
>
> This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small chicks should
> be kept away from drakes and cobs.
>
>
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| Wheeler |
Of course that was a "family" flock.
Bob W
--
Check out our web site,
A few new features and new pictures.
http://www.onemorebird.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/
"Wheeler" <rivercst@pacifier.com> wrote in message news:...
> Has been a few years since we raised ducks and geese out here at the farm
> but my recollection was that the ganders were rather protective of the
> goslings. Even yearling "extra" males worked to defend and protect the
> young......
>
> Bob Wheeler
>
> --
> Check out our web site,
> A few new features and new pictures.
> http://www.onemorebird.com/
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/parrotletsandfun/
>
> "w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
> news:sry0e.472$CF.24391@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>>
>> "James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
>> news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
>> I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
>>> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to
>>> see
>>> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a threat.
>>
>> This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small chicks
>> should
>> be kept away from drakes and cobs.
>>
>>
>
>
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| Laurie |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:sry0e.472$CF.24391@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>
> "James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
> news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
> I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
>> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to see
>> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a threat.
>
> This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small chicks should
> be kept away from drakes and cobs.
>
Maybe you can answer this one Pam. My duck ended up getting killed by
something...dont know what, but I found her body near the duck pond but her
head was no where to be found. Any idea what may have killed her? Someone
said owls will do that, but I dont know
Laurie
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Laurie" <iamhere@home.com> wrote in message
news:V9K0e.3856$H06.3704@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
> news:sry0e.472$CF.24391@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> >
> > "James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
> > news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
> > I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond. Kept
> >> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him only to
see
> >> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a
threat.
> >
> > This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small chicks
should
> > be kept away from drakes and cobs.
> >
> Maybe you can answer this one Pam. My duck ended up getting killed by
> something...dont know what, but I found her body near the duck pond but
her
> head was no where to be found. Any idea what may have killed her?
Someone
> said owls will do that, but I dont know
dunno. not owls though I don't think. I don't know of anything which would
pull the head off and leave the body other than a human.
Poor thing :0(
Those baby runners of mine aren't half growing. I've only had them 2 weeks
and they seem to have doubled in size. Now my trio of chocolate runners is
expecting babies too with one of the ducks gone broody :-)
Oi loikes me duckies.
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
w.g.s.hamm wrote:
> "Laurie" <iamhere@home.com> wrote in message
> news:V9K0e.3856$H06.3704@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> >
> > "w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
> > news:sry0e.472$CF.24391@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
> > >
> > > "James" <kingkong@iglou.com> wrote in message
> > > news:42420ddd$1_1@news.iglou.com...
> > > I was mama until he/she was big enough to release into a pond.
Kept
> > >> him caged around the pond for awhile and finally released him
only to
> see
> > >> him dead the next day from the males who apparently saw him as a
> threat.
> > >
> > > This is not unusual behaviour in both swans and ducks. Small
chicks
> should
> > > be kept away from drakes and cobs.
> > >
> > Maybe you can answer this one Pam. My duck ended up getting killed
by
> > something...dont know what, but I found her body near the duck pond
but
> her
> > head was no where to be found. Any idea what may have killed her?
> Someone
> > said owls will do that, but I dont know
>
> dunno. not owls though I don't think. I don't know of anything which
would
> pull the head off and leave the body other than a human.
> Poor thing :0(
> Those baby runners of mine aren't half growing. I've only had them 2
weeks
> and they seem to have doubled in size. Now my trio of chocolate
runners is
> expecting babies too with one of the ducks gone broody :-)
> Oi loikes me duckies.
I have seen red tail's pull the legs off of squirrels in a millasecond.
Are you raising the runners for egg production?
What is the production per duck per year--275 eggs?
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| w.g.s.hamm |
<cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com> wrote in message
news:1111764182.131921.7190@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> I have seen red tail's pull the legs off of squirrels in a millasecond.
red tailed kite is not owl. squirrel is a natural prey for a kite. ducks
are not natural prey for owls.
> Are you raising the runners for egg production?
Nope. I am raising them because I like them.
> What is the production per duck per year--275 eggs?
No idea. I don't like eggs so what I don't hatch, or sell for hatching, I
feed to the cats ad dogs.
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| Schmuckputz |
"Laurie" <iamhere@home.com> wrote in message
news:V9K0e.3856$H06.3704@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> Maybe you can answer this one Pam. My duck ended up getting killed by
> something...dont know what, but I found her body near the duck pond but
her
> head was no where to be found. Any idea what may have killed her?
Someone
> said owls will do that, but I dont know
>
This question about predators that eat only the head (when it comes to
chickens anyway) is explored at the following link. Among the animals
suggested as culprits are skunks, weasels, mink, raccoons and owls.
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ho...1a310cd36a8.htm
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| cnctutwiler@wmconnect.com |
w.g.s.hamm--
Thanks--I'm really not a bird expert--is a hawk distinct from a
kite--or is a hawk a member of the kite family? We call red tails--red
tail hawks. To me, a kite is a smaller bird of prey.
Tut
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| w.g.s.hamm |
"Schmuckputz" <schmuckputz@earthlink.nut> wrote in message
news:8071e.5037$H06.4504@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Laurie" <iamhere@home.com> wrote in message
> news:V9K0e.3856$H06.3704@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> >
> > Maybe you can answer this one Pam. My duck ended up getting killed by
> > something...dont know what, but I found her body near the duck pond but
> her
> > head was no where to be found. Any idea what may have killed her?
> Someone
> > said owls will do that, but I dont know
> >
>
> This question about predators that eat only the head (when it comes to
> chickens anyway) is explored at the following link. Among the animals
> suggested as culprits are skunks, weasels, mink, raccoons and owls.
>
> http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ho...1a310cd36a8.htm
>
>
>
Not sure how many of those postings are hearsay and supposition. Perhaps
there are different owls over there than here. Certainly not one of our
native owls would regard a adult duck as prey ad we don't have skunks,
raccoons etc. A weasel would drag the whole kill away.
Honestly I don't know of a hungry animal which would target a lone adult
duck, remove the head entirely and leave the body which after all is a good
meal.
The aswer of course is to ensure all fowl are securely locked in at night.
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| Joanne |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:n7d1e.542$CF.25705@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>>
>> http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ho...1a310cd36a8.htm
>>
>>
>>
> Not sure how many of those postings are hearsay and supposition. Perhaps
> there are different owls over there than here. Certainly not one of our
> native owls would regard a adult duck as prey ad we don't have skunks,
> raccoons etc. A weasel would drag the whole kill away.
> Honestly I don't know of a hungry animal which would target a lone adult
> duck, remove the head entirely and leave the body which after all is a
> good
> meal.
> The aswer of course is to ensure all fowl are securely locked in at night.
My husband lost an entire loft of loved homing pigeons to a weasel or weasel
family in the Colorado mountains. They bit the heads off every pigeon and
left the bodies. Pete is the most conscientious person about security,
particularly when it comes to the animals. The weasels were able to get
through an amazingly small entry.
--
Sincerely,
Joanne
If it's right for you, then it's right, . . . . . for you!!!
Play - http://www.jobird.com
Pay for Play - http://www.jobird.com/refund.htm
Looking for Love? - http://www.jobird.com/hearts.htm
Garden Kinder CDs
http://www.jobird.com/cd/gardenkinderhome.html
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| Laurie |
"w.g.s.hamm" <fenlandfowlREMOVETHIS@talktalk.net> wrote in message
news:tFV0e.509$CF.25168@news-1.opaltelecom.net...
>
> dunno. not owls though I don't think. I don't know of anything which would
> pull the head off and leave the body other than a human.
> Poor thing :0(
Yes, it was heartbreaking to find her that morning. I had no idea ducks
could bond so well with humans.
> Those baby runners of mine aren't half growing. I've only had them 2 weeks
> and they seem to have doubled in size. Now my trio of chocolate runners is
> expecting babies too with one of the ducks gone broody :-)
> Oi loikes me duckies.
And there's nothing cuter than those Indian Runners! (oh ok, all babies are
adorable!)
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| Laurie |
"Schmuckputz" <schmuckputz@earthlink.nut> wrote in message
news:8071e.5037$H06.4504@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>
> This question about predators that eat only the head (when it comes to
> chickens anyway) is explored at the following link. Among the animals
> suggested as culprits are skunks, weasels, mink, raccoons and owls.
>
> http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ho...1a310cd36a8.htm
>
>
Thanks for the link. We have coyotes, racoons, skunks and owls ... not sure
about the mink though.
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