How to Hatch Duck Eggs: A Beginner’s Guide

Thinking of hatching duck eggs at home? Whether you’re raising ducks for eggs, pets, or as part of your backyard farm, hatching ducklings is a fun and rewarding process. This guide will walk you through the entire journey—from incubator setup to post-hatch care.

🛒 What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the essentials:

Fertile duck eggs (available at Bolton Birds)
Reliable incubator with humidity and temperature controls
Egg candler to check development
Brooder setup with proper bedding and heat source

🌡️ Step 1: Incubator Setup

Temperature: Set to 99.5°F (37.5°C)
Humidity: Start with 55–60%, then increase to 65–70% during the final days
Turning: Turn eggs at least 3–5 times daily until day 25

Tip: Automatic incubators can make turning easier, but manual turning works fine too.

🔍 Step 2: Monitor Progress

Candling around day 7 helps track development. Look for:

Blood vessels and darkening yolk
Movement of the embryo
Clear or unchanging eggs should be removed

🐣 Step 3: The Hatching Window

Duck eggs typically hatch around day 28 (though Muscovy ducks may take up to 35 days).

When nearing hatch day:

Stop turning eggs at day 25
Increase humidity to 65–70%
Watch for “pipping” (a small crack in the shell made by the duckling)

Important: Do not assist unless absolutely necessary—ducklings usually hatch over 24–48 hours.

🐥 Step 4: After Hatching

Once the ducklings hatch:

Let them dry off in the incubator for a few hours
Transfer to a warm brooder (initially set at 90–95°F)
Provide clean water and starter feed designed for ducklings

Tip: Ducklings love water, but make sure their water dish is shallow to prevent drowning.

📝 Final Tips

Don’t over-handle eggs during incubation
Keep the incubator clean and stable
Maintain proper humidity—it’s key to successful hatching
Buy quality eggs from trusted suppliers like Bolton Birds

Hatching duck eggs is a blend of science and nature, and the joy of seeing those tiny bills break through the shell is truly unforgettable. Start your duck-hatching adventure today with Bolton Birds’ fertile duck eggs and reliable supplies.