How many days do duck eggs take to hatch?

Most common domestic duck eggs hatch in about 28 days. Muscovy duck eggs usually take about 35 days. Call ducks and some smaller ducks may hatch closer to 26 days.

When is lockdown for duck eggs?

For most 28-day duck eggs, lockdown usually starts on day 25, about three days before hatch. Muscovy eggs usually lock down around day 32 when using a 35-day incubation schedule.

When should I candle duck eggs?

Common duck egg candling checkpoints are around day 7, day 14, and day 21. Candling helps check fertility and development before the final lockdown period.

Duck Egg Incubation Calculator

Calculate your duck egg hatch date

Enter the day your duck eggs were set to get the expected hatch day, lockdown date, candling reminders, and a practical duckling estimate.

Expected hatch date — 28-day duck incubation timeline

Eggs set date Duck type / incubation length

Number of eggs set Expected hatch rate

Incubation style Display dates as

How to use this duck egg incubation calculator

Choose the date the eggs were placed in the incubator or under a broody duck, then pick the duck type that best matches your eggs. The calculator adds the incubation length to estimate hatch day and works backward to show lockdown.

Use the 28-day setting for common domestic duck breeds such as Pekin, Rouen, Khaki Campbell, Indian Runner, Welsh Harlequin, and Cayuga. Use the 35-day setting for Muscovy eggs.

Quick duck egg incubation examples

Duck eggs set April 1: most 28-day duck eggs are expected around April 29, with lockdown around April 26.
Muscovy eggs set April 1: expected hatch is around May 6, with lockdown around May 3.
12 eggs at a 70% hatch rate: plan for about 8 ducklings, with a realistic range shown in the results.

Duck egg incubation reminders

Duck eggs often benefit from steady temperature, careful humidity management, regular turning before lockdown, and clean handling. Follow your incubator instructions and avoid opening the incubator during the final hatch window unless necessary.

FAQ

Do duck eggs always hatch exactly on day 28?

No. Day 28 is the common target for many domestic ducks, but hatch can be early or late depending on breed, temperature stability, egg age, humidity, fertility, and handling.

Are Muscovy duck eggs different?

Yes. Muscovy duck eggs usually take about 35 days instead of 28 days. Select the Muscovy option to get the longer hatch timeline.

When should I stop turning duck eggs?

For most duck eggs, stop turning at lockdown, usually about three days before the expected hatch. The calculator shows this date based on the incubation length you choose.