tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post1549176862251883996..comments2024-03-08T05:16:41.496-08:00Comments on Metzer Farms Duck and Goose Blog: How to Improve Your Duck Egg and Goose Egg Hatch RateJohn Metzerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-62389396773071105342017-11-20T23:43:34.050-08:002017-11-20T23:43:34.050-08:00Thank you for sharing this information! I must vis...Thank you for sharing this information! I must visit their website!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.acmastechnologies.com/product/ovens-n-incubators/co2-lncubator" rel="nofollow">CO2 Incubator Manufacturer & Suppliers</a>Acmas Technologies Inchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17247513081800139275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-43679668253766603432017-04-06T09:20:18.291-07:002017-04-06T09:20:18.291-07:00During incubation it should be 85-86 degrees wetbu...During incubation it should be 85-86 degrees wetbulb or 55-58 degrees relative humidity. During hatching it would be 92 wet bulb or 80-82 relative humidity.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-21002484277823677152017-04-06T02:18:07.856-07:002017-04-06T02:18:07.856-07:00What is humidity level for incubating Sebastopols?...What is humidity level for incubating Sebastopols?Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752496167082565019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-5023343702660311182016-04-10T13:40:49.725-07:002016-04-10T13:40:49.725-07:00I just a few minutes ago was surprised to see a he...I just a few minutes ago was surprised to see a hen duck trying to mate a Drake!<br />Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-22105364001013845452016-02-18T13:41:25.861-08:002016-02-18T13:41:25.861-08:00They are getting layer pellets the same thing they...They are getting layer pellets the same thing they have always been fed. I put out oyster shells but they didn't eat them they just play in them. The soft shells happen so seldom I wasn't worried but this one was so strange. They have laid all winter and are healthy and happy so I will chalk it up to weirdness and continue as usual. Thank You so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-45529500300600562362016-02-18T11:13:38.732-08:002016-02-18T11:13:38.732-08:00We have not seen an egg of this description before...We have not seen an egg of this description before but I would not worry about it. Something just went wrong in the process of making the egg. Just make sure they are getting a balanced feed.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-65472180919420241812016-02-18T08:46:03.255-08:002016-02-18T08:46:03.255-08:00Hello, I had an odd thing happen this morning. I w...Hello, I had an odd thing happen this morning. I went to let my ducks out and there was a soft shelled egg in the middle of the barn. I've had them before but this one had an outer membrane that was very large and had what looked like a tail on it about an inch wide and 3 inches long it was like a tube. Have you seen this before?? This is only the 3rd soft shell I've had but the other 2 only had one membrane that was containing the egg.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-46918748467027997322016-02-15T19:21:51.158-08:002016-02-15T19:21:51.158-08:00We have large enough flocks that there is very lit...We have large enough flocks that there is very little chance that the ducklings or goslings you get from us are siblings. Yes, sons and mothers and fathers and daughters will mate. To prevent this you must separate them during the breeding season.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-41794013213516821062016-02-15T19:18:17.741-08:002016-02-15T19:18:17.741-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-42619943867325205052016-01-20T14:20:01.065-08:002016-01-20T14:20:01.065-08:00I would follow the directions of the incubator. I...I would follow the directions of the incubator. If you have no directions, then I would remove the plug but watch the humidity as you need a higher humidity level during hatching.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-91250729254876019132016-01-20T11:36:31.442-08:002016-01-20T11:36:31.442-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032433420116203225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-72540823610965946792016-01-20T11:33:52.558-08:002016-01-20T11:33:52.558-08:00My Chinese geese are starting to hatch now, Do I t...My Chinese geese are starting to hatch now, Do I take the vent plug out now or leave it in?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032433420116203225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-78676461584701613232016-01-10T11:49:56.470-08:002016-01-10T11:49:56.470-08:00i was wondering if ducks and geese have to be from...i was wondering if ducks and geese have to be from different "families" in order to breed and have healthy offsprings. if i order ducklings and goslings from you, will they be brothers and sisters or from different parents? one last question is whether offspring try to mate with a parent and if so, how do you prevent this? thank you in advance.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-40712512019059330562015-11-06T09:38:52.490-08:002015-11-06T09:38:52.490-08:00I have a couple female ducks that are "bucky&...I have a couple female ducks that are "bucky" (I'm a goat person, this is the term I'm used to). They will mount other female ducks and act really dang serious about it. Happens more in the early spring, so I attribute it to the hormonal shift. They lay just fine and are otherwise normal hen ducks.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-33443270410108737972015-10-27T15:52:47.954-07:002015-10-27T15:52:47.954-07:00i have a cheap styrofoam incubator with a fan and ...i have a cheap styrofoam incubator with a fan and the egg turner. all looks like it is working. i have it in the basement due to the smell and predators so it is cooler than normal. i did have to cover it with a towel to keep the temp up. the temperature was too low and allover the place without it. i used the digital humidity/thermometer that comes with incubators. they did get to a point that they did not work several times and i had to take them out and let them sit. the digital part could not be read. so maybe the towel over the top to keep the heat in was my issue? not much air circulation at that point but when they started to pip, i did take it off, and open one plug. the incubator was not keeping up heat wise so i did not take out 2 of them.<br />i think the directions said to take the plugs out during the pipping stage like day 25 or so. so i will try that next time and see what happens. thanks jacklinznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-85989746688097203582015-10-25T10:43:11.930-07:002015-10-25T10:43:11.930-07:00The greatest mortality during incubation is the fi...The greatest mortality during incubation is the first several days and the last several days of incubation. If something was wrong during incubation, they won't make it at the end. Are you sure the turner is working? Have you bought an inexpensive thermometer at the drug store to ensure the temperature is correct in the incubator? Next time weigh some eggs when you set them. They should lose about 13% of their weight during incubation. If it is significantly more or less than that, then you humidity level is off. Do you open the vent in the incubator after day 10 to ensure the eggs get sufficient oxygen? These are things you can check next time. Good luck.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-60899523993228933272015-10-25T07:54:32.691-07:002015-10-25T07:54:32.691-07:00Your ducks do not need supplemental heat at this a...Your ducks do not need supplemental heat at this age and your current outside temperatures. They should be able to handle 30's in several weeks when they are fully feathered.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-31746653967016988542015-10-20T18:37:34.959-07:002015-10-20T18:37:34.959-07:00I tried to hatch ducks last year with the same re...I tried to hatch ducks last year with the same results each time. the birds look like they are coming along find, i candle them and they are looking mature. <br /><br />i take them off the turner then put them on the wire rack. the early ones are already starting to pip. when i move them, most of them die in the egg. they start to pip then die. i keep the heat at a contstant temp.I don't know what i am doing wrong. any suggestions. humidity is on about 80% throughout, temp is around 98-100. best i can recall. bottom line is they are all mature and starting to come out of the shell, when i move them to the rack, they die in the shell.<br />jacklinznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-53126449932495987402015-10-20T18:29:39.177-07:002015-10-20T18:29:39.177-07:00i have ducks that are 5 weeks old. they have been...i have ducks that are 5 weeks old. they have been under hot lamps and also outside on nice days varying temps between 60-85 i would guess.<br /><br />they are put inside at night back to the hot lamps. they are getting feathers and are about 50% . it has been getting colder at night here for this week. i was wanting some input as to when they can be in 40-50degree weather if i have a dry place for them setup. i think i can figure a hot lamp outside also . <br /><br />it will be in the 30's here in a few weeks. I think that is too cold for them but looking for a temp they can withstand at 5-6 weeks if i keep them dry that is. thanks<br />jacklinznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-91778562698827956702014-06-05T10:21:23.169-07:002014-06-05T10:21:23.169-07:00It is extremely rare for us to see wry necks in ne...It is extremely rare for us to see wry necks in newly hatched birds so if 15% of your fertile eggs hatched wry necks, something strange is happening. But as it is so rare for us, I did not have an answer so I contacted a hatchery manager that has been responsible for hatching hundreds of millions of poults. His thought was that there was a problem with the hatching environment which stressed the ducklings and prevented their hatching smoothly and on time. Birds that remain in the egg too long and need assistance often emerge with health issues. Maybe the humidity was too low and this caused the membranes to be too dry and difficult to break through to hatch. Did you break open the fertile eggs that did not hatch? Did the other fertile eggs go to full term but did not hatch?Our average fertility is about 85% and about 82% of our fertile eggs hatch. Something strange happened with your eggs during incubation.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-73844605449621187602014-05-27T20:54:16.502-07:002014-05-27T20:54:16.502-07:00We purchased 21 mixed eggs from you. On day 25 we ...We purchased 21 mixed eggs from you. On day 25 we candled 13 that appeared to be progressing as they should. Last Friday they started hatching. We had only 5 hatch - one of which died shortly after. 2 of the others have what people are calling "wry neck" and the third seems to be having trouble walking. Only one of the 4 surviving appears to be "normal." Can you give us a clue as to what may have caused this very sad occurrence?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-51894677207283451682014-05-26T21:15:02.063-07:002014-05-26T21:15:02.063-07:00Yes, I would remove the turner. You don't wan...Yes, I would remove the turner. You don't want the turner to injure the newly hatched birds.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-58910546492588606772014-05-26T06:48:54.403-07:002014-05-26T06:48:54.403-07:00i am incubating mallard eggs and am on day 25. Sho...i am incubating mallard eggs and am on day 25. Should I remove the egg turner and lay them on the wire base of the incubater, or leave them in the turner.<br />Thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-59220133336277356902014-05-02T20:19:33.363-07:002014-05-02T20:19:33.363-07:00Yes, I would use the same temperatures - just at e...Yes, I would use the same temperatures - just at earlier times and shorter durations due to the reduced incubation time.John Metzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03103027096519025445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7444124598415048280.post-45622145343297683542014-05-01T09:34:32.278-07:002014-05-01T09:34:32.278-07:00Although it looks like this is a problem for some ...Although it looks like this is a problem for some of my pairs, I did have one pair of Pilgrim geese succesfully hatch seven of ten goslings this morning. I am excited to see how the pair raise them. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com