Collect clean, fertile duck eggs
Store eggs pointed end down
Keep stored eggs at about 55–65°F
Maintain 70–80% humidity during storage
Set eggs within 7 days if possible
Use a clean, calibrated incubator
Preheat incubator before setting eggs
Set temperature to 99.5°F for forced-air incubators
Set temperature to 101–102°F for still-air incubators
Maintain humidity around 55–60% for most of incubation
Place eggs on their sides in the incubator
Mark eggs with an X and O if turning by hand
Turn eggs at least 3 times daily
Turn eggs 5–7 times daily if possible
Stop turning on day 25
Candle eggs around day 7 and day 14
Remove infertile or dead eggs during candling
Increase humidity to 65–75% for hatching
Lower temperature slightly if needed to stay stable
Do not open the incubator often during lockdown
Expect duck eggs to hatch around day 28
Leave ducklings in the incubator until fully dry
Move dry ducklings to a warm brooder
Keep the brooder warm and dry
Provide clean water and starter feed after moving them
Clean and disinfect the incubator after use