HELP PLEASE! Incubating Muscovy eggs!

[Imndixie]

My 1st time incubating ANYTHING! My stray Muscovy "Miss Tilly" has laid her eggs. This is her 3rd time laying. The previous 2 batches of ducklings were gone within 3 days after she took them to the pond. I've never had chicken/ducks and was hoping they would be ok. I was devastated! I purchased an incubator and swiped 6 eggs from her nest. This is day 15 and when I candle them they look good. Plenty of veining and moving but the air cell doesn't look as big as what they should be for day 12. Is this normal? I read on this forum where somebody had the same problem and quite putting water in the incubator for a couple of days. I kept the temperature at 99.5 and humidity was at 50-55%. So, yesterday I didn't put water in the incubator. Today, the air cell looks a tiny bit better, they are moving but not as much as they were the day before. I have no idea what I'm doing and hoping for any & all advice!

I've become attached to Miss Tilly and plan on raising the ducklings. I have horses and she has made herself at home in my barn when she's not at the pond. Just want these babies to survive! I'm panicking!

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubating-and-hatching-muscovy-eggs.63532/

 

[cheezenkwackers]

My 1st time incubating ANYTHING! My stray Muscovy "Miss Tilly" has laid her eggs. This is her 3rd time laying. The previous 2 batches of ducklings were gone within 3 days after she took them to the pond. I've never had chicken/ducks and was hoping they would be ok. I was devastated! I purchased an incubator and swiped 6 eggs from her nest. This is day 15 and when I candle them they look good. Plenty of veining and moving but the air cell doesn't look as big as what they should be for day 12. Is this normal? I read on this forum where somebody had the same problem and quite putting water in the incubator for a couple of days. I kept the temperature at 99.5 and humidity was at 50-55%. So, yesterday I didn't put water in the incubator. Today, the air cell looks a tiny bit better, they are moving but not as much as they were the day before. I have no idea what I'm doing and hoping for any & all advice!

I've become attached to Miss Tilly and plan on raising the ducklings. I have horses and she has made herself at home in my barn when she's not at the pond. Just want these babies to survive! I'm panicking!

You are right to take out the water. In my experience, too much humidity is worse than too little. Sounds like you are doing great. Btw, movement will seem to decrease as they start to fill the egg and can’t move as much.

 

[Imndixie]

According to my weights, as mentioned in the above article, they are right on target. Will watch them close the next couple of days to see how they develop.

First time duck Mom is going to get the best of me but I'm trying desperately to get it right! I will update as time progresses! Fingers crossed!

 

[Imndixie]

This is day 17 and I'm worried about one of my eggs! I don't see any movement and not sure what I need to be looking for. Here are pics of egg #1 (not moving) and #2-6 are lively! Is there hope?