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If you're coming from the world of chicken-keeping, you may be well-acquainted with the 21-day rule for hatching chicken eggs. But when it comes to duck eggs, that number goes out the window. Many first-time duck breeders fall into the trap of applying the chicken egg incubation timeline to their duck eggs, only to be left scratching their heads when the 21st day comes and goes without any peeping or cracking sounds from the incubator.
This blog aims to clarify some of these misconceptions and to provide a comprehensive understanding of duck incubation times. From the general timeframes needed for most duck breeds to specific timelines for some unique breeds, we'll go over key factors that could influence the hatching of your future ducklings. Let's get started with unraveling the intricacies of this fascinating process.
About Wild Mallard Duck Genetics
In the world of ducks, the wild Mallard is the common ancestor on a complex family tree. Virtually all domestic duck breeds, with the exception of the Muscovy, trace their lineage back to this resourceful, widely-distributed bird. Over generations of selective breeding, we've sculpted a myriad of domestic breeds, each with their own unique features, plumage patterns to egg-laying capabilities, but one thing still remains consistent: incubation times.
Understanding the Mallard's role as the progenitor is crucial when considering the incubation periods of domestic duck eggs. In nature, a Mallard egg hatches around the 28-day mark. As you might expect, domestic ducks, being close relatives, largely adhere to a similar time frame—though there are exceptions, which we'll get into later.
Other Factors That Affect Incubation Time
The exact hatching time of a duck egg is dependent on more factors than the species of duck they descended from. Most likely you're here because you're wondering when to put your eggs on lockdown. A bunch of factors come into play when making that decision:
Incubation Temperature: An average part of degree up or down across the whole incubation period can either fast-forward or hit pause on the incubation. This means that eggs incubated at higher temperatures can cumulatively take a day or even several days less to hatch than its identical counterpart that is incubated at a lower temperature.
Incubator Personality: Yup, incubators have personalities! Some are consistent, some fluctuate, and that can make a day or two difference. Specifically, some incubators have "cool spots" such as the Farm Innovators styrofoam incubators that are popular with beginner hatchers. Eggs that are in the cool spots on the corners and in the front row may take a few days longer to hatch than the eggs in the middle.
Flock-Specific Genetics: Ducks, like us, come with unique genetics. The eggs from our own flock of Magpies usually like to hatch on day 26. Many of our customers are surprised by this, even though we warn them ahead of time on our incubation cheat sheet that we provide. The eggs that you may get from other breeders will have their own genetics and might have a slightly different incubation timeline, but for the most part, you'll see hatches happen within 2-3 days on either side of that 28 day mark.
How To Account For Discrepancies in Incubation Time
If you're aiming to not be surprised by when your ducklings hatch, we have a few tips. A consistent incubation temperature of 99.5°F has yielded the best results for us here at The Texas Honey Spot. I recommend an incubator that has no cool spots and a good fan for proper circulation and consistent temperature
such as the reliable Nuture Right 360 incubator, of if you're willing to splurge a little,
the HatchingTime CT60 cabinet incubator has great success rates for hatching duck eggs. A stable environment ensures that all of the embryos develop at a steady pace.
Another answer that you're probably here for is when to put your eggs into lockdown. If you're new to hatching, lockdown is the stage in the incubation process that mimics the behavior of a mother duck sitting on her nest 24/7 for the last few days of incubation. Unless you're an experienced hatcher, the general advice for the lockdown period is to increase the heat and humidity slightly and then not open the incubator until the hatching process is over. If you bought eggs from us, we recommend locking down at day 24 in case your eggs hatch at day 26.
While I definitely recommend reaching out to the breeder you got the eggs from and getting incubation and lockdown instructions from them, the best way to know when to put your incubator into lockdown is by candling eggs. Candling eggs can be done with a candling device or, if you're an experienced hatcher, you can use a flashlight. If you're not sure how to candle eggs, there's a wealth of videos online that can show you how. We're in the process of making our own instructional candling video, but until we're done, I suggest heading over to YouTube and there will be some great advice there.
Special Cases: Which Breeds Don't Take 28 Days
Muscovy ducks are the outliers in the domestic duck world, a distinctive branch on the family tree. Unlike their Mallard-derived cousins, Muscovies have their own set of rules when it comes to incubation. If you're raising Muscovies, mark your calendar for around 35 days, not the standard 28. These eggs take their sweet time, which might make the waiting game a bit more challenging for eager breeders.
The extended incubation period reflects the Muscovy's unique genetics and natural habitat. Originating from Central and South America, these ducks have evolved under different conditions and have distinct behaviors and characteristics. So, when you're venturing into Muscovy territory, patience becomes a requirement.
If you're smitten with the petite and charming Call ducks, note that their eggs also deviate from the norm—but not by much. Typically, Call duck eggs take about 26 days to hatch, just shy of the standard 28 days. Their smaller size and quicker incubation make them a bit of an anomaly, albeit a delightful one. The reason for this slight deviation isn't fully understood, but one speculation is that their compact size and metabolism could play a role. So, if you're counting down the days for a batch of fluffy Call ducklings, aim to have everything set for their arrival a couple of days earlier than you would for other Mallard-derived breeds.
The information available online can sometimes be inaccurate, and the case of Magpie duck incubation is a prime example. Contrary to popular belief perpetuated by numerous online sources, Magpie ducks do not hatch in 21 days. In fact, like most Mallard-derived breeds, they typically require around 28 days of incubation. However, when it comes to our Magpies at The Texas Honey Spot, we've noticed a slight variation: our eggs usually hatch around day 26. It's important to note that incubation periods can vary depending on the breeder and specific flock genetics, so always consult with the source of your eggs to get the most accurate information for your particular situation.
In conclusion, understanding the incubation times for different duck breeds can be a challenging but rewarding aspect of poultry farming. From Muscovy's longer incubation period to the unique characteristics of Call ducks and the common misconceptions about Magpies, there's much to learn. So, if you're a seasoned duck breeder or a curious newbie, knowing your ducks' needs is crucial for successful hatching. Do you have any incubation stories or insights to share? We'd love to hear your experiences and tips in the comments below!
