Duck eggs generally take about 28 days to hatch, which is about a week longer than chicken eggs. This incubation period applies to most common duck breeds such as Pekin, Khaki Campbell, and others
. However, there are exceptions:
- Muscovy duck eggs take longer, typically around 33 to 35 days to hatch
- Bantam duck eggs may hatch slightly earlier, around 26 days on average
The incubation conditions are important for successful hatching:
- Temperature should be maintained around 37.5°C (99.5°F)
- Relative humidity should be about 55-75%, depending on the stage of incubation
- Eggs need to be turned regularly during incubation, especially if using an incubator
The hatching process itself can take 24 to 36 hours or longer, during which the ducklings pip and slowly emerge from their shells
. In summary, expect duck eggs to hatch in about 28 days under proper conditions, with Muscovy duck eggs requiring up to 35 days
