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If you have fertile eggs from your own ducks, you will likely have the best hatch rate. If not, be sure to order your hatching eggs from a reputable breeder or hatchery. If you can find eggs from a local farm, that’s even better. Shipped eggs are often jostled or subjected to temperature and humidity fluctuations and have a far lower hatch rate than eggs that don’t have to be shipped. An 80% hatch rate is considered very good; for shipped eggs, the norm is closer to a 50-60% hatch rate.

Most problems with eggs not hatching can be attributed to old eggs with low fertility, rough handling, eggs stored at an improper temperature, improper turning, uneven incubator temperature or humidity, or nutritional deficiencies in the breeding stock.

If you have your own fertile eggs (laid by your own ducks), pick those that are most perfectly and uniformly shaped, preferably not covered with mud or manure. Don’t wash them; instead, carefully scrape off any muck with your fingernail or a rough sponge. Don’t choose overly small or large eggs because they tend to not hatch well.