Duck eggs, unsure on day. Help.

[BelovedBirds]

Good morning.

Unbelievably, these eggs are still going. I’ve checked this morning tho and found this (picture included). I too. The egg out, wiped it and there’s no crack and the duckling is still moving?!? What the heck is going on

Are you certain you're still seeing movement? Have you seen the ducklings growing and filling more of the egg or just staying the same?
No bad smells or anything from the eggs?

 

[Luv Ducks]

Just a little update. I really don’t know how with Donny now being 10 days old, but the eggs are still going!

It surely could have been a staggered hatch. I have had my Ducks do that more than once. Especially being in the wild like that. I hope that these eggs hatch for you and all is well.

 

[Ash287]

Are you certain you're still seeing movement? Have you seen the ducklings growing and filling more of the egg or just staying the same?
No bad smells or anything from the eggs?

Definitely moving and growing. The air sacs have grown slightly. No smells. They have now been in the incubator for 22 days so I’m thinking it’s got to be any day now

 

[Ash287]

I have no idea what would make an egg do that. Is it blood coming out of if? If it is still moving I would just let it be and see what happens. Good Luck.

The only way to explain it is it looks like old dirty blood?

 

[Ash287]

It surely could have been a staggered hatch. I have had my Ducks do that more than once. Especially being in the wild like that. I hope that these eggs hatch for you and all is well.

I’m slightly concerned that if this is the case, I haven’t turned them enough.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I’m slightly concerned that if this is the case, I haven’t turned them enough.

Eggs only realistically need to be turned during the first couple weeks or so. Mainly the first 7-10 days. Once the embryo is able to move, it's not so important.
And if it makes you feel any better, I once saw a video of a guy testing the importance of it- he had two batches of eggs, one he turned, and one he didn't. Hatch rate was basically the same.
While turning is important and safer, they are not necessarily doomed if it doesn't happen as much!

 

[Ash287]

Another week on and still no hatch there is no ‘big movements in the eggs, but when I candle them, I can see ‘pulsing’ and little shadow movements. Does this mean they are still ok? We are now on day 28 in the incubator

 

[Luv Ducks]

Another week on and still no hatch there is no ‘big movements in the eggs, but when I candle them, I can see ‘pulsing’ and little shadow movements. Does this mean they are still ok? We are now on day 28 in the incubator

Yes that is fine. It can take a little longer than 28 days. I have had one hatch out at 32 days. What type of eggs? Some like Muscovy take longer than the Mallard derived ones.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Yes that is fine. It can take a little longer than 28 days. I have had one hatch out at 32 days. What type of eggs? Some like Muscovy take longer than the Mallard derived ones.

Are the movements you are seeing in the air sac where they have internally pipped? If so then after a day or so you can put a tiny hole with the end of a screw in that air sac so they can breathe.

 

[Ash287]

Yes that is fine. It can take a little longer than 28 days. I have had one hatch out at 32 days. What type of eggs? Some like Muscovy take longer than the Mallard derived ones.

We assume mallard as that’s what Donny looks like, and they were all in the same nest