When To Stop Turning Duck Eggs? (A Step-by-Step Guide!)

Duck eggs are a popular choice for people interested in raising poultry. However, it is important to know when to stop turning duck eggs.

Turning the eggs is an essential process that helps the growing embryos develop properly. But, when is the right time to stop turning?

In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about when to stop turning duck eggs.

When To Stop Turning Duck Eggs? Turning duck eggs is an essential process for proper embryonic development.

It is important to stop turning the eggs at the right time to prevent injury to the growing embryos.

If you are using an automatic egg turner, it will stop turning the eggs on day 25.

For manual egg turners, it is important to observe the eggs carefully and stop turning them before day 25, especially for Muscovy ducks.

For some breeds of ducks, such as Muscovy ducks, it may be necessary to stop turning the eggs a few days earlier than day 25.

This is because Muscovy duck embryos develop at a slightly faster rate than other duck breeds, and they need to be stationary earlier to avoid getting tangled up in the eggshell.

What Day Do You Start Turning Duck Eggs?

The process of turning duck eggs starts on day one of the incubation period. This is when the eggs are placed in the incubator and should be turned every few hours throughout the day.

It is important to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level during this time to ensure proper embryonic development.

As the incubation period progresses, it becomes crucial to know when to stop turning duck eggs.

This is because the growing embryos need to be stationary as they prepare for hatching.

When To Stop Turning Duck Eggs During Incubation?

When incubating duck eggs, it is crucial to know when to stop turning them. Turning eggs is essential during the first 25 days of incubation, as it ensures proper development of the embryo.

However, after this period, the embryo starts to position itself for hatching and needs to be left undisturbed.

Therefore, it is imperative to cease turning the eggs on day 25 and allow them to hatch naturally.

If the eggs are not allowed to rest, the ducklings may not develop correctly, and their hatching success rate may decrease.

What Happens If You Don’t Turn Duck Eggs?

If you’re considering incubating duck eggs, it’s essential to turn them regularly.

Turning the eggs ensures that the developing embryo doesn’t stick to the shell due to the albumen’s weight.

If you don’t turn the eggs, the embryo will likely die, and the egg will not hatch.

Additionally, turning the eggs helps to regulate the temperature and humidity levels inside the incubator.

If you leave the eggs untouched, they may become too hot or too cold, which can harm the developing embryo.

It’s important to turn the eggs at least three times a day, and ideally, every four to six hours.

Understanding The Hatching Process

The hatching process can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand what happens during this time.

It typically takes about 28 days for duck eggs to hatch, but some breeds may take longer or shorter.

During the final few days of incubation, the embryos will start to pip, which is when they break through the shell using their egg tooth.

This process can take up to 24 hours, and once the duckling has pipped, it will rest and absorb the remaining yolk sac before hatching fully.

1: The Incubation Period

During the incubation period, it’s important to monitor the eggs regularly and maintain optimal environmental conditions.

This includes keeping the temperature at 99.5-100 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels at 55-60% for the first 25 days.

After day 25, you should increase the humidity to around 70% to help soften the eggshells and assist in hatching.

It’s essential to cease turning on day 25 and provide your ducklings with ideal environmental conditions during the hatching process.

2: The Role Of Turning In The Hatching Process

Turning plays a crucial role in the hatching process of duck eggs. It helps to ensure that the embryos develop correctly and hatch successfully.

Turning also helps to prevent deformities in the ducklings, such as splayed legs or twisted necks, which can occur if the embryo doesn’t move around inside the egg.

During the first 25 days of incubation, turning should be done at least three times a day, and ideally every four to six hours.

Signs That It’s Time To Stop Turning

As mentioned earlier, turning should be stopped on day 25 of incubation. At this point, the embryos will have moved into their final position and will no longer need to turn.

Continuing to turn the eggs after day 25 can cause the embryos to become disoriented and lead to unsuccessful hatching.

Another way to determine if it’s time to stop turning is by candling the eggs. Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg to observe its contents.

After day 25, you should be able to see the developing embryo’s shadow inside the egg. If you can see it clearly and in its final position, it’s safe to stop turning.

Here are most common signs to make sure that turning should be stop now:

1: Changes In The Eggshell Color

If you notice any changes in the eggshell color, such as darkening or spotting, it could be a sign that the embryo has died and is decaying inside the egg.

In this case, it’s best to remove the egg from the incubator to prevent contamination of other eggs.

2: The Eggshell Becomes More Opaque

If you notice that the eggshell becomes more opaque or harder to see through, it could mean that the embryo is getting ready to hatch.

At this point, it’s crucial not to turn the eggs and disturb the hatching process. 

It’s also important to note that not all duck eggs will hatch successfully, even with proper care and attention.

3: The Air Cell Gets Larger

Another sign that it’s time to stop turning duck eggs is when the air cell gets larger.

As the duckling develops inside the egg, it needs more oxygen and produces carbon dioxide.

This causes the air cell at the blunt end of the egg to get larger. By day 25, the air cell should be about a third of the total volume of the egg.

How To Stop Turning Duck Eggs?

To stop turning duck eggs, you can simply mark the eggs with an “X” on one side and an “O” on the other. This will help you identify which eggs have been turned and which ones haven’t.

When it’s time to stop turning, all you have to do is place the marked eggs with the “X” side facing up. This will signal that you should not turn them again.

It’s important to note that stopping the turning process is just one part of ensuring successful hatching of duck eggs.

Maintaining Optimal Temperature And Humidity Levels

Maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels is crucial for the successful hatching of duck eggs.

The ideal temperature for incubating duck eggs is between 99.5°F and 100.5°F with a relative humidity of 55-60%. I

t’s essential to check the temperature and humidity levels regularly using a thermometer and hygrometer.

If the temperature is too high or low, it can affect the development of the embryo or even cause death.

Similarly, if the humidity level is too low, it can cause the egg membrane to dry out, making it hard for the duckling to hatch.

Can I Stop Turning Eggs On Day 17?

Ideally, you should not stop turning duck eggs on day 17.

This is because the embryos are not yet fully developed, and stopping the turning process at this stage could cause them to stick to the egg membranes or even die.

As mentioned earlier, you should stop turning the eggs on day 25 when most of the embryos have matured and are ready for hatching.

Will Eggs Hatch If Not Turned?

If duck eggs are not turned, it can significantly decrease the chances of successful hatching.

Turning the eggs helps to ensure that the developing embryo does not stick to the egg membrane and that essential nutrients and oxygen are distributed evenly throughout the egg.

However, if you have accidentally missed a turning or two, don’t worry.

You can still try to salvage some of the eggs by carefully resuming the turning process and maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels.

Summary: When To Stop Turning Duck Eggs?

In conclusion, it is crucial to stop turning duck eggs on day 25 to increase the chances of successful hatching. Remember to mark the eggs with an “X” and “O” to keep track of which ones have been turned.

Maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels between day 1 and day 25 is critical for the development of the embryo.

Proper ventilation in the incubator is also necessary to prevent any harm caused by carbon dioxide buildup.

If you accidentally missed a turning or two, try resuming the turning process carefully until day 25.

However, not all duck eggs will hatch successfully despite proper care and attention. Dispose of any unhatched eggs properly.

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