Call Duck Incubation!?

[LucianosLops]

Aaaaaand we’re back..
4 years later and I’m lucky enough to need to use this app again.
Basically.. I jokingly bid on some call duck eggs (on eBay) and was surprised the next day when a “Congratulations! You won” appeared on my phone..
So here we are. Day 1.
5/9 eggs have saddled air cells, 1/9 is complete detached, 3/9 seem perfectly fine. They are in a Brinsea Maxi II Advance. Humidity has stayed between 50-55% today, usually at 53%. Temp at 37.5 C.
The six “damaged” eggs are sitting in an egg carton, round size up. I have been advised not to move them for the first week, is that correct? Any tips on hatching saddled eggs is appreciated!!
I’m also a bit concerned for humidity dropping below 50% at night, how badly will fluctuations in humidity affect hatch rate??
Also I set my eggs today and programmed the incubator for 28 days but the day count went down to 27 a few hours later.. should I put it back to 28?

Thanks in advance <3

 

[chickens really]

@WVduckchick can help with shipped eggs.

 

[WVduckchick]

Welcome back!

The first week is too long (in my opinion) for those eggs to sit still. 2-3 days should be fine. If they still look bad after the third day, I’d suggest leaving them in the carton, but start tilting the egg a bit within the carton. Tilt opposite the saddle. Say looking at the top of the egg, the saddles are at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, do your tilt to 3 o’clock and 9 oclock. Make sense?

If they stay stationary for too long, the blood vessels will clog in one area and stick inside the shell.

Now humidity. 50% is way too high for me. Whereabouts are you? If it’s humid where you live, it’s likely too high for you too. Unless you are in really dry area, I would not put any water in the incubator until you check the air cells around day 7-10. Then judge if you need any.

For the day count, calls usually hatch on day 26.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

 

[LucianosLops]

Quick response, love that!
And yeah it’s pretty humid here in north California. I think it’s 70% outside right now. Ok, I removed the water real fast and opened the vent all the way. Seem to have stabilized at 44% now, I’m pretty sure that’s as low as it’ll go lol and awsome thank you! I will start tilting them in a couple days.
What about daily cooling? I see that this incubator comes with a cooling mode which turns the heater off for however long you want. Should I still take them out, spray them, and let them cool? What would you recommend for cooling
And Humidity just dropped to 43% lol

 

[WVduckchick]

Cooling is a personal choice, meant to mimic a broody hen. I don’t do it when incubating though. I don’t do the misting either, unless I need the eggs to lose more moisture later on.
I know it sounds backwards, but misting tends to draw more moisture out as the mist evaporates. Storeys Guide says they found slightly better results by doing it, but as I said, I only do it if air cells are too small. So it’s up to you.

 

[chickens really]

I also never mist eggs..Water has the opposite effect and draws out moisture. I watch humidity and air cells. I generally have great success..

 

[casportpony]

Welcome back! Sounds like @WVduckchick is taking good care of you!

 

[LucianosLops]

Welcome back!

The first week is too long (in my opinion) for those eggs to sit still. 2-3 days should be fine. If they still look bad after the third day, I’d suggest leaving them in the carton, but start tilting the egg a bit within the carton. Tilt opposite the saddle. Say looking at the top of the egg, the saddles are at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, do your tilt to 3 o’clock and 9 oclock. Make sense?

If they stay stationary for too long, the blood vessels will clog in one area and stick inside the shell.

Now humidity. 50% is way too high for me. Whereabouts are you? If it’s humid where you live, it’s likely too high for you too. Unless you are in really dry area, I would not put any water in the incubator until you check the air cells around day 7-10. Then judge if you need any.

For the day count, calls usually hatch on day 26.

Good luck! Please keep us posted.

What if the air cell seems to be doing better? Do I still keep them in the carton but tilt slightly more than the more damaged eggs?
Ok I went out for a few hours and humidity is 36% now, (these fluctuations are making me anxious lol).. anyways.. is that low enough? What do you consider a good humidity?
Thanks again, really appreciate it!

 

[WVduckchick]

If the air cells firm up and reattach where they belong, you can lay them down with the others and proceed as normal.
36% sounds great. I try to stay between 25-40 at least for the first couple weeks to observe how things are going, then adjust if necessary after that.
I think it’s easier to slow down the air cell growth later on by increasing humidity than to start out too slow then try to catch up later.
The link in my signature block below in red (turn phone sideways if on mobile) might be worth reading, if you have time.

 

[LucianosLops]

If the air cells firm up and reattach where they belong, you can lay them down with the others and proceed as normal.
36% sounds great. I try to stay between 25-40 at least for the first couple weeks to observe how things are going, then adjust if necessary after that.
I think it’s easier to slow down the air cell growth later on by increasing humidity than to start out too slow then try to catch up later.
The link in my signature block below in red (turn phone sideways if on mobile) might be worth reading, if you have time.

Thanks for the link! Great read.
Quick update...
5 eggs are showing no development.. so that’s a bummer.. I think I’ll keep them in for a few more days.
BUT 4/9 damaged air cell eggs are developing, so that’s bittersweet, since I fear they won’t hatch.
One even seemed to reattach, because there is no more movement in the egg (other than the yolk). Either it reattached or there is no more air bubble (if that’s even possible). I took it out of the carton and placed it on its side in the egg turner. Wishing that egg the best of luck
How long should I wait before discarding the other eggs?