Most duck eggs take about 28 days to hatch, so the fastest way to find your hatch date is to add 28 days to the day you set the eggs. Muscovy eggs are the big exception at roughly 35 days, and small Call or bantam ducks can finish a day or two early. The duck egg incubation calculator above does this math for you and adds candling and lockdown dates, based on figures from the Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory.
The number the calculator uses
The core figure is the incubation period: the number of days from setting the eggs (Day 0) to hatch. Cornell’s Duck Research Laboratory states that common ducks such as Pekins need 28 days, while Muscovy eggs hatch in about 35 days. The calculator adds that many days to your set date to get the estimated hatch date, then works backward three days to schedule lockdown — the point where you stop turning and raise the humidity. Candling reminders land on Day 7 and Day 14, when fertility and the growing air cell are easiest to read.
Temperature and humidity are held steady across those days. In a forced-air incubator, keep the temperature at 99.5°F (37.5°C); a still-air incubator is run slightly warmer, around 100–101°F measured at the top of the eggs. Duck eggs need more moisture than chicken eggs: hold roughly 55% relative humidity through most of incubation, then raise it to about 65–75% for the hatch, following Meyer Hatchery and Cornell.
How long is the duck incubation period?
The duck incubation period averages 28 days for most domestic breeds, but it varies by type. The Mississippi State University Extension lists 28 days for most ducks, and a UC ANR 4-H handout gives more detail: Mallards run about 26.5–27 days, Runners about 28.5, and “all others” about 28. Muscovy is the outlier at roughly 35 days (occasionally up to 37). So when people ask how long it takes to incubate duck eggs, the honest answer is “about four weeks — nearer five for Muscovy.” Old eggs or a cool incubator can push hatch a day or two later; a warm incubator can pull it earlier.
Duck egg incubation chart
Use this chart as a quick reference for incubation time, temperature, and humidity by duck type. The temperature shown is for a forced-air incubator; the humidity figures show the incubation setpoint followed by the raised level for hatch.
| Duck type | Incubation period | Temperature (forced-air) | Humidity (incubation → hatch) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common / Pekin & most breeds | 28 days | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | ~55% → 65–75% |
| Mallard & Mallard-derived | ~28 days (26.5–28) | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | ~55% → 65–75% |
| Runner | ~28 days (28–28.5) | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | ~55% → 65–75% |
| Call / bantam ducks | ~27 days (26–28) | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | ~55% → 65–75% |
| Muscovy | ~35 days (35–37) | 99.5°F (37.5°C) | ~55% → 65–75% |
Turn the eggs at least 4–5 times a day until lockdown, and stop turning about three days before the hatch date so the ducklings can settle into hatching position.
How to use the calculator
- Enter the date you set the eggs in the incubator (this is Day 0). It defaults to today.
- Choose the duck type — Pekin/common, Mallard, Runner, Call/bantam, or Muscovy. Pick “Custom” to type your own day count.
- Read the estimated hatch date and hatch window at the top of the result panel.
- Follow the milestone dates for candling (Day 7 and Day 14) and lockdown (three days before hatch).
- Hit Print / save to keep a clean copy by the incubator.
BarnCalc · Poultry
Duck Egg Incubation Calculator
Enter the date you set your eggs and pick the duck type — get the hatch date, lockdown day, and candling milestones.
Estimated hatch date
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Management milestones
Duck egg incubation chart — days, temperature & humidity
| Duck type | Incubation | Temp (forced-air) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common / Pekin & most breeds | 28 days | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 55% → 65–75% at hatch |
| Mallard & Mallard-derived | ~28 days (26.5–28) | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 55% → 65–75% at hatch |
| Runner | ~28 days (28–28.5) | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 55% → 65–75% at hatch |
| Call / Bantam ducks | ~27 days (26–28) | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 55% → 65–75% at hatch |
| Muscovy | ~35 days (35–37) | 99.5°F / 37.5°C | 55% → 65–75% at hatch |
Still-air incubators run slightly warmer — about 100–101°F measured at the top of the eggs. Turn eggs 4–5 times a day until lockdown.
Duck egg incubation FAQ
How long does it take to incubate duck eggs?
About 28 days for most domestic ducks. Muscovy eggs take roughly 35 days, small Call and bantam ducks can hatch around 26–28 days, and Mallards are near 26.5–28 days, per Cornell and UC ANR 4-H.
What temperature and humidity do duck eggs need?
Set a forced-air incubator to 99.5°F (37.5°C), or about 100–101°F in a still-air unit. Hold humidity near 55% during incubation, then raise it to roughly 65–75% once the eggs go into lockdown for hatch.
How long do Muscovy duck eggs take to hatch?
About 35 days — a full week longer than common ducks — and occasionally up to 37. Choose “Muscovy” in the calculator and it will use 35 days automatically.
When do you stop turning duck eggs?
At lockdown, about three days before the hatch date (around Day 25 for a 28-day duck, Day 32 for Muscovy). Stop turning, raise the humidity, and avoid opening the incubator so the ducklings don’t get shrink-wrapped.
When should you candle duck eggs?
Candle around Day 7 to confirm fertility and veining, and again around Day 14 to check the growing air cell. Remove any clear, non-developing eggs so they don’t spoil near the others.
Can you incubate duck eggs without an incubator?
Yes — a broody duck or a broody chicken hen can hatch a clutch if the nest is clean, sheltered, and undisturbed, with food and water nearby. Natural sitting is less predictable than a machine, so hatch rates can vary.
Sources
- Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory — Hatching Duck Eggs: vet.cornell.edu
- Mississippi State University Extension — Incubation Duration Periods: extension.msstate.edu
- Kansas State University Extension — Incubation and Reproduction FAQ: asi.k-state.edu
- UC ANR (Placer County 4-H) — Duckling Hatching Basics: ucanr.edu
- Meyer Hatchery — Guide to Incubating and Hatching Duck Eggs: meyerhatchery.com
Reviewed for accuracy against the Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory, Mississippi State and Kansas State Extension services, and UC ANR 4-H materials.
Last updated: July 15, 2026.
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