The duckling hatch continues

It’s now exactly 28 days since the original 11 eggs went into the incubator. Two didn’t develop at all, and one looked infected at around the halfway mark. That left us with eight. As I write, we have seven lively ducklings! Increasing the humidity in the R-Com 20 incubator seems to have paid off.

I caught the hatch of number 4 on camera. The third had just hatched, and her cheeping and movement may have encouraged the fourth to emerge. Here’s the hatch in pictures:

Some pipping action is visible, and as we watch, more holes start to appear in the shell

Some pipping action is visible, and as we watch, more holes start to appear in the shell


The top of the shell detaches

The top of the shell detaches

... and she's on her way

… and she’s on her way

Sometimes there are long pauses, but this one is determined to get out quickly

Sometimes there are long pauses, but this one is determined to get out quickly

Nearly there

Nearly there

... and out she comes

… and out she comes

... not even attached to the shell

… not even attached to the shell

And very soon numbers 3 and 4 are enjoying a snooze under the warm fans

And very soon numbers 3 and 4 are enjoying a snooze under the warm fans

And finally, moving on, here are 5, 6 and 7, all hatched within the last few hours.

And finally, moving on, here are 5, 6 and 7, all hatched within the last few hours.

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