All This is our first time, so go easy on us....
We live in a converted stable that once was a mill on the river Eden in Cupar so not only does the river run right past the house but there is a mill lade 15meters from the house. It is a popular place for ducks, some years there are dozens of pairs raising their broods here.
We have 2 clutches.
The first clutch A1 to A6 are white pure breed IR's eggs. The second clutch B1 to B6 Are mixed colour IR's.
Clutch A is on day 7 and Clutch B was set 3 days later ( due to late arrival in post )
Both are Ebay purchases.
They are set in an secondhand, still air, auto turning Brinsea incubator, bought from a very nice man in Scone.
I have modified the Brinsea by fitting -
1. Two small 12v fans ( stolen from a PC power supply ) connected to a 240v/12v wall wart PSU. These are to aid an even air circulation/temperature through out the unit.
2. A digital brinsea spot test thermometer ( i'm convinced the standard mercury in glass is lying! ) Temperature set to 37.5C
3. A digital humidity meter.
4. Cut down layer of sponge to laid in one water resevoir to help wick water vapour into the incubator
( I luv sponge. cos i'm not allowed anything sharp! )
The system was run for a week bare to check stability of the environment.
The eggs where rested at room temp point down for 8 hours, cleaned, candled, number, weighed and marked with O's and X's to allow us to check they are all turning properly before setting. ( My first time but nothing untoward that my inexperienced eye can see at this point. more to the point no evidence of cracks! )
I am now a week into incubation for clutch A and tonight was my first candling.
A1 does not seem any different ( possibly sterile )
A2 shows strong signs of embryonic development. Blood vessels eminating from a dark spot. WOOOPEEE life!
A3 is similar but much darker than A2
A4, A5 = A2
A6 same but a larger air sac than i would have hoped at this stage.
Bearing in mind Clutch B is 3 days behind and got lost in the post for 4 days!
B1, B3, B4, B5 and B6 All look like stuff is happening a fine web of blood vessels is spreading from the center. There seems to be a light ring around all the development. I have checked as many photos online because I am concerned about bacterial ring infection so i will have to keep a close eye but development has started by the looks of it.
B2 Sadly has a hairline crack in it that seemed to get bigger within hours. In the interests of the other healthy eggs my wife an I agonised over what to do and have decided to remove it. A painful decision but for the best I think. So sadly we are down to 11. It would be unrealistic to expect 12 out of 12 to do the term and ultimately we are after healthy happy ducks.
Anyway the project is moving forward and we look forward to clutch A hatching on the 14-15th sept and clutch B three days later. I know I have to stop the auto turner on the 25th day so Clutch A can get into position for pipping and have just resigned myself to having to turn clutch B by hand till they reach day 25.
Indian Runners should take 28.5 days to hatch but nature being what it is we will just have to see.
Until then I think i've gone broody, I'm clucking ( quacking ) around the incubator regularly through the day to check they are turning, and that temp and humidity are stable.
Will keep you all posted.
Robbie
