Hatching duck eggs is just as easy as as hatching out baby chicks! I hope these tips will help answer any questions you have about how to hatch duck eggs, and that soon you'll have your own adorable fluff-balls peeping and cheeping away!
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When we first got our Welsh Harlequin ducks, I was just looking for a nice little backyard flock. I wanted them to help keep the wasps and ticks down, and provide us with wonderful, nutrient-dense, duck eggs. That was about it. I had no idea the extent to which they would utterly charm us.
By the time spring came around the following year, I knew I needed a few more...just a few more, I told myself. So I decided to hatch some of their eggs. I'd heard that duck eggs were quite a bit harder to hatch then chicken eggs, so I put quite a few eggs in the incubator. 38 of them, actually. I figured that would leave a healthy margin for error, since I was hatching out ducks for the first time, and didn't feel terribly confident. If I got lucky and more hatched than I needed, I knew I could probably sell them.
Turns out, duck eggs really aren't that hard to hatch successfully. I had a great first attempt, and ended up with 32 ducklings from that hatch. I didn't need that many, so I posted them in my Facebook farming group. By the next morning, they were all sold. And I had a list of people who wanted to buy more, if I would be willing to hatch them.
Would I hatch more? Oh, indeed, I hatched more. By the time summer was over, I'd hatched out 227 ducklings in my kitchen. I incubated them using two different circulated-air incubators (this one by Hovabator, and this one by Brinsea), as well as an old plywood still-air incubator that I'd build with my dad as a kid. The more I hatched, the better I got at it. And I experimented a little. What if tried a slightly lower humidity? What if I misted twice a day? What if I didn't mist at all? What if I washed the eggs first? What if I didn't?
The more I hatched, the better my hatch rates got. I also found that my ducklings all hatched clean and fluffy (no patches of sticky down, like with my first batch). They also hatched over a shorter period of time, rather than many hours apart. By the end of that summer, I'd solidified my duckling hatching method. And I'd found a delightful little side-enterprise that helped us bring in some extra income - one more step toward being self-sufficient here on the homestead.
Below, I've created a little cheat sheet, detailing the steps I follow for successfully hatching duck eggs. This gives me consistently high hatch rates, with vigorous, fluffy ducklings. Whether you're looking to hatch a few eggs to perpetuate your own backyard flock, or you're starting a small hatching operation to earn some extra income from home - I really do hope these tips help you to have great hatch!
- Need tips on how to guarantee you're only hatching purebred ducklings, if you keep multiple duck breeds? I tell you all about how to do that here.
- Wondering how you can help your sweet fluff balls grow up to be super-friendly and cuddly ducks? Let me tell you all my tricks (hint: start talking to them now!)
- And if you're not sure you've got all your supplies ready for when they hatch, my friend Lisa has a great list that will help you prepare for brooding out ducklings.
Happy hatching!
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Katie says
Hi! Do you also open the incubator, cool & mist eggs daily for chicken eggs? This is something I'm not very clear on. I've had pretty low hatch rates for chicks (using a styrofoam incubator) and am trying to figure out what to do - I hate to waste so many eggs! If I'm understanding the candling process properly, I believe most of my chicks are alive when entering lockdown on Day 18.
Thanks!
Katie says
Hi Anna,
This is such a helpful post and I'm trying to think through how to apply it to hatching out chicks.
Do you have a chart for chicks like the one above for ducks? I'm new to hatching chicks (using a styrofoam incubator) and have had rather low hatch rates all spring/summer.
Thanks,
Katie
Michelle says
I wanted to thank you for your wonderful article.
It was my first time hatching duck eggs and I followed your instructions exactly. I've had 100% hatch! Twelve beautiful Indian runner ducklings. They hatched from day 27 through to day 30 and did it all by themselves 🙂
Thanks again,
Michelle
Kristin Exner says
Hi. Thank you so much for creating this site. I have found the information very helpful. I’m hoping you might be able to answer question for me. I got an incubator, six chicken eggs and two duck eggs from a local farmer. I have never done anything like this but I’m so excited. I’ve been reading a lot and realize that on day 18, I should make sure that I don’t open the incubator again until the chicken eggs have finished hatching. My question is whether or not the duck eggs will be OK not being turned for those few days? I took the duck eggs out for 10 minutes today and sprayed them with warm water before putting them back in the incubator. I am so, so hopeful that we have some hatching success! I’m doing this because I thought it would be great for my four-year-old daughter to see but I am just as, if not more excited than she is!
Karen Trojjnar says
I just wanted to thank you for perfect instructions on hatching duck eggs. This is my first time hatching duck eggs and I was beyond happy that I hatched 7 eggs out 10. They are adorable and so friendly. Y
Marissa says
how long after day 28 do let the eggs stay in the incubator in hopes they will hatch?
Jenn says
Thank you for all of your helpful information! Did you end up doing a post about when to know if you should help in the hatching process. I saw you mentioned it but can’t find it anywhere. Thanks!
Noel says
Hi Anna. Could you kindly share an email address i can reach you at, i have a number of questions i would like to run by you?
You could even email me directly if that is better for you.
Anna says
Hi Noel! You bet! You can reach me any time at [email protected] , and I hope that I can help with your questions!
Arun Mandal says
What is the temperatures mist warm water
Anna says
Hi Arun! Lukewarm is perfect - it doesn't need to be exact, but shouldn't be super hot or cold.
Noel says
Dear Anna,
Thanks for your post. It’s really helpful.
I would like to seek further guidance please. I am having difficulty bringing my incubator humidity below 64%. I have reduced the water to the point that there is only about 20 - 30ml in the water chamber. I’m short of putting in just drops or running the incubator dry in order to get a lower humidity.
Today is day two of incubation. On day one, the humidity was fairly high and I had to remove the water to bring it down.
Any advice you can share on this would be greatly appreciated.
I also tried to email you at the address I’m one of the comments here but i keep getting an undeliverable message.
Kind regards
Noel
Anna says
Noel, I'm so sorry you had a tough time reaching me by email! Glad to help if I can! Can I ask a quick question? What's the ambient humidity in the room where your incubator is running? Also, what kind of incubator are you using, and are there any air plugs in? In a styrofoam incubator they're usually red, and located on the top.
This is a fairly humid season for many areas, and honestly lots of folks do well with what's called a "dry hatch" - leaving the water chambers of the incubator empty until lockdown. I find that my own water requirements for getting the desired humidity are drastically different from February to June, since my home is extremely dry in February, and humid by summertime.
If you don't mind shooting me a quick comment back with those answers, I would love to help in any way I can! Cheering you on!
Noel says
Hi Anna. I am using a HHD 48 egg incubator at the moment until I can build my own. It does not have air plugs. As for the ambient humidity, my hygrometer indicates 42.
So I decided to proceed with dry incubation and coincidentally you have mentioned the same thing. Running dry incubation, my incubator RH is 50%. My question here is whether I would still need to mist the eggs from day 8?
Thanks
Anna says
Wonderful - I think you're on the right track, choosing to go with dry incubation. Yes, I would definitely still mist/cool the eggs from day 8. Good luck, I'm excited for you, and hope you have a wonderful hatch!! If you have any questions as the hatch progresses, don't hesitate to drop a line!
Noel says
Most appreciated Anna.
Jamie Boesch says
What’s your favorite incubator? What if you have different hatching dates? I just had one hatch and she is in the incubator with the other eggs.
saeid says
hello Anna
Please Help me
What is the temperature and humidity for the Moscow duck?
I could not succeed at a temperature of 99.5 and a humidity of 60-70
I've failed two times
In each period, 42 eggs were destroyed, and even a duck was not born
The machine is automatic and the eggs are rotated
We've done everything ...
But
I have not tried the water and cooling spray !!!
Kristen Dehne says
Question for you-my Rouen duck hatched 3 babies, and quit sitting on her last 3 eggs. It’s been 24 hrs since she laid on them. I moved the eggs to an incubator-do they still stand a chance to hatch?
Anna says
Hi Kristen, if they're still close to hatch, they're beginning to generate their own body heat, so I wouldn't give up hope yet. If you can candle the eggs, I would definitely give that a try. If you see movement you'll definitely know they're still viable. I wouldn't give up hope yet! Fingers crossed for you, and congrats on those three healthy babies!
Victoria Cumella says
I can't find your cheat sheet. Where is it?
Kate says
Great article! I've hatched chicks under mama hens for years, but can't master the incubator with either chicks or ducks! There are always a couple infertile and a couple that die during incubation, but if I candle a few days before the hatch 90% are alive. For some reason they can't get out of their shells or die within the last 3 days. I've been getting anywhere from a 10-50% hatch rate, and the hatch is usually staggered over 3 days or more. I had 18 duck eggs that were alive as of last week and due to hatch today, but only 1 has hatched so far! I already keep humidity and temperature consistant, but will have to try your method of cooling and misting!
Anna says
Aw, Kate! That's so heartbreaking to lose them at the end like that! You know, my friend Ruth was just telling me the other day that her hatch rate used to be low, but as soon as she started the misting and cooling it went way up. She's getting great hatch rates now.
Since you mention that the hatch is usually staggered over 3 days, the one other thing I might do is just triple check your thermometer to make sure it's spot on...sometimes the thermometer that comes with an incubator can be a bit off, and to me a staggered hatch like that suggests a slight temperature issue. The only other thing that comes to mind with the very late losses is making sure that they're getting turned at least three times daily - if you're not using an autoturner. I'm sure you are probably right on top of making sure they're getting turned plenty, but it definitely seems that Waterfowl are even more sensitive to getting plenty of turning than chicks - without it they can be too weak to hatch, leading to losses at hatch time.
Anyway, please forgive the brainstorming. I can't help trying to sleuth out what might be going on, any time I hear about a hatch not going well. I'm wishing you an amazing hatch the next time around and if I can answer any questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask! Best wishes!!
Kate says
Thank you so much for your brainstorming; I really appreciate the help! I will try all that. I've been using an automatic turner, but sometimes wonder how effective it is. It rocks the eggs more than actually turning them. Maybe I'll try turning by hand...
mancunian says
1st question: I have an incubator with automatic turner, but not sure which end should be set upwards in the incubator. What is your advice on that?
2nd question: my duck egg suppliers said they are not sure of the species (Although my intention was to incubate cayuga and khaki campbell eggs only, some of the eggs may be actually pekin, indian runner, crested and rouen duck eggs) Do you think there will be any problems if I incubate them all together?
Anna says
Hi there! To answer your first question, you'll want to put the eggs with the fat end up. So the smaller end is what sits in the egg turner. I find that when incubating duck eggs, I can't fit on in the spot closest to the auto-turner's motor without preventing full movement of the turning racks, so I leave that spot empty.
As far as incubating those breeds together, you should be fine! As long as none of them are bantam ducks, they should all hatch within a fairly close time frame, and you should be just fine.
Best of luck to you for a great hatch!!
Mancunian says
Many thanks and I appreciate that you share so much valuable information with everyone. By the way I forgot to mention that some of the eggs might be actually muscovy eggs as well in addition to species that I mentioned. I know it will be like some kind of united nations assembly for ducklings, but how can I handle muscovies because they seem to have longer incubation period?
Anna says
AH!! You know what, I had the thought that I should ask if there were any chance of muscovy in there, and I'm sorry I didn't! This is a tough call. Normally I would suggest trying to borrow an incubator and incubating the muscovy eggs separately. BUT - am I right that you're not certain which, if any, are muscovies?
In that case, I feel the best you can do is to incubate them as though they're all the same, following the protocol in this post for non-muscovy eggs. Put them all on lockdown together, and allow the hatch to go naturally. Once all pipped eggs have hatched, I would then candle those left. Unless it seems clear that they're not viable (stinky, obvious dark liquid sloshing...) I would give them a quick gentle wipe to remove any "hatching goo", then return them to the incubator. Lower the humidity to 45-50% (they've just been through about 3 days of high humidity with hatch #1, and must lose the right volume for a strong hatch). Turn them 3x a day for another 3-4 days, and then bump the humidity back up and follow lockdown procedure again. If you see them pip before that 3-4 days, go ahead and start lockdown.
This is what I would do if I had eggs that I thought were mostly non-muscovy, but some might be. I hope it helps! If you want to send me any candling pictures or need help during the hatch, please feel free to email me. ( [email protected] ) I check email several times a day, and generally answer comments on the blog just daily, so I can get back to you faster if you need quick hatching help!
I'm cheering you on! I hope you have a GREAT hatch!!
Joel says
The only thing I would add is handle your hatching eggs with clean hands! I always wash my hands before handling the eggs so I don't introduce bacteria onto the egg. A lot of times I keep a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol handy and just spray my hands before handling the eggs especially before turning the eggs by hand. Eggs that 'touch' during incubation synchronize and will tend to hatch at the same time (like popcorn). Additionally, a great way to determine if humidity is correct in the incubator is to watch the air cells in the egg. Too much humidity can be detrimental. The air cell needs to be 33% of the egg at hatch time to allow room for the duckling to peck out. A final 'something' you can experiment with is wiping the eggs with rubbing alcohol after collecting. When I raised mallards back in 1993-1998, I did some experimenting where I gently washed the eggs in warm water to knock off the dirt (if any), then wiped the eggs with a cotton ball with room temperature 90% rubbing alcohol. Following all the other tips (turning with clean hands, etc.), I consistently got 100% hatches. Just wipe from top to bottom while turning the egg. I sold a lot of my eggs to school teachers for school projects and they also got 100% hatches. Of course, my birds were fed a well balanced diet and all the other necessary factors. I share because I just don't want that experiment to die with me now that I'm getting older. Hope someone else tries it.
Joane Cotto says
Hello thank you for all the help you've given us. Do you have a YouTube channel,if you don't would be great if you make one.I World love too meet you and see you incubator.?
Anna says
Joane, you're so kind! I'm delighted that you've found this helpful! And you know what? Your timing is amazing. I've been meaning to start a YouTube channel, and was actually just now planning out which videos I should shoot first. Self-doubt crept in though (video is SO pushing my comfort zone!), so I put down my notes, and thought I'd come answer today's comments. Yours was the first one to pop up, and in two years of blogging and hundreds of comments, it's the first to ask about a YouTube channel. Totally what I needed at that moment.
So thank YOU for speaking encouragement to my heart, when you didn't even know I needed it! I'll be sure to let you know when I get my first video uploaded. My very best wishes on your hatching endeavors, and thank you again for the kind words! ~ Anna
Sara says
Do you still use an egg turner if you are manually turning the duck eggs?
Anna says
Hi Sara, that's a great question! If I'm planning to manually turn the duck eggs, I leave out the egg turner entirely. One benefit of this is that I can fit more eggs into the incubator this way - easily up to 60 in my Hovabator. If you're using an egg turner, I don't find that there's a need to additionally turn the eggs by hand. Hope this helps! Happy hatching!!
Diane Dasilva says
I have the hover incubator but how do I know what the humidity is. Also, is there a problem with opening the incubator to add water or to turn?
Anna says
Hi Diane! Great questions. You will want a reliable thermometer as well a hygrometer in there. I've used lots of different models, and have found this inexpensive combination one to be reliable for both temp and humidity. It's smaller than it looks in the picture, and can easily sit inside your hovabator even with an autoturner in there.
It's totally fine to open the incubator for adding water and turning the eggs - no problem! Once the eggs start hatching, you'll want to keep the incubator shut as much as possible. But during incubation, opening it for turning and topping up the water reservoirs isn't a problem at all. Hope this helps a bit! Happy hatching!
Birch Willow Farm says
I currently have 2 heritage breeds. Like you said, I seperate a good month before egg hatching time to insure purity. I've noticed though that most prefer their own kind lol. My first batch is always mixed as I like to see what they produce. I have a lot of people who like the backyard mixing. More than half of batch one us always still pures even though I dont sale or advertise them that way.
Anna says
YES! Honestly, sometimes those backyard mixes are just the sweetest and most beautiful ducks! I've seen some absolutely gorgeous mixes. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, appreciate it so much!
Dee says
Please someone help..im tryn my first time incubating the duck eggs...and ialredy messed up realy bad..ididnt pay attention to when iput them in....im now freaking out tryna figure out wen to do what..all ino is im sure it was after december second..ithink it was during the first week of december that iput them..ive ben checkn the temp and humidity everyday n its ben perfect...ihave an egg turner in it as well..so im not sure wen to start taking them out daily for 15minutes..can itell aproximatelyy how old they are by lookin at them..im not sure how to do anythang 🙁
Anna says
Hey Dee, I'm so sorry I'm just seeing your comment today, I know it's been a couple days since you wrote. It's going to be ok - ducklings are resilient, I bet you'll still get a good hatch. This candling chart will give you a really good idea where you are in the incubation process, when you next candle your eggs: https://wildliferehabber.com/candling-eggs
If you haven't already started misting, I would go ahead and do that - they do benefit from it, and I'm going to bet now's not too soon. The biggest factors are your temp and humidity, so if those are staying solid for you, you're already winning at this. My fingers are crossed for you, and I hope you'll come back and tell us about how your babies are doing when they hatch! There's nothing like hatch day - SO EXCITING!! Best of luck!!!!
Julie says
Anna,
I am looking for the difference of the stages of development between ducks and chickens. I know about the amount of days are different but what about the development inside the egg. Is the development of the heart, eyes, wings the same time as ducks and chicks? I want to share this information with my students.
Thank you
Julie
Anna says
Hi Julie! YES - it's definitely different timing. Even from the outside, I consistently notice the heartbeat within a duck egg becoming visible at least 12 hours later into incubation than a chicken's...and that's just to my untrained eye. I DO have a stash of notes from my research about this very subject, but it'll take me a little time to pull together. Are you incubating duck eggs with your students right now? Let me see what I can pull together for you!!
Stayce says
Why do you take them out for 15 minutes daily starting on day 8?
Anna says
Hi Stayce! I don't actually take the eggs out. I just remove the cover of the incubator for 15 minutes, and give them a nice misting. After hatching many hundreds of ducklings, I've seen a direct correlation with improved hatch rates when I follow this step daily. I think that it really does help to mimic nature a bit - my mother ducks always get off the nest for a good 15-20 minutes each day to eat, drink, stretch, and take a swim. They climb right back on the nest all drippy wet, so the eggs get well moistened from the mama duck's body. Some theorize that the cooling/misting cycle helps to make the shell more brittle for hatch. Regardless, of the "why" I can definitely attest that it helps me get very high hatch rates. Hope this helps!
Laura says
I just got my eggs today. CanI store them in the house at room temp until morning before they go in the incubator?
Anna says
Hi Laura, you bet! Very slowly warming them to room temperature overnight is great. In the meantime you can have your incubator already running, so you know it's perfectly holding temperature. Best of luck with your hatch!!
Jill says
If I purchase the Hova-bater without the egg turner would me opening to turn them 3 times a day be a problem with the temp and humidity?
Anna says
Hi Jill! No problem at all. I love my Hovabator, and open it to manually turn the eggs 3x daily, every time I hatch duck eggs with it! Turning the eggs is a great chance to make sure the water channels are filled, and both humidity and temp recover quickly. They will be totally fine!
Angela says
I love hatching ... but ducks are sooooo darn cute!!!!!
Anna says
Don't you just love them?! I really cannot imagine my life without ducks!
Eric metz says
Once you remove the egg turner is it fine to just lay the eggs on their side?
Anna says
Absolutely! On their side is perfect!