How Long Do Duck Eggs Take to Hatch? Pekin and Muscovy Timelines
Pekin and most common duck eggs take about 28 days to hatch. Muscovy eggs take longer, up to 35 days. Stop turning and raise humidity at lockdown on day 25 for most ducks, or day 32 for Muscovies.
Hatch time by duck breed
| Breed | Days to hatch | Lockdown day |
|---|---|---|
| Pekin, Khaki Campbell, most ducks | 28 | 25 |
| Muscovy | 35 | 32 |
Muscovy eggs run about a week longer than Pekin eggs, so if you are hatching a mix, set them on the same day but plan the lockdown for each breed separately.
Duck timeline, day by day
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Set the eggs. Temperature 99.5°F forced-air. Duck eggs need more humidity than chicken eggs, so set the incubator higher from the start. |
| Days 1–24 | Turn eggs an odd number of times a day, or use an auto-turner. |
| Day 7 and day 14 | Candle. Remove clear (infertile) eggs and any that have stopped developing. |
| Day 25 (Pekin) | Lockdown: stop turning, raise humidity further, and keep the lid shut. |
| Days 28–29 | Pipping and hatching. Ducklings can stay in the incubator until dry. |
Why duck eggs need more humidity
Duck eggs have a thicker shell and a larger air cell, and the ducklings need to soften that shell as they pip. If the air is too dry, the membrane sticks and ducklings struggle to get out. Check the humidity on a hygrometer, not by guessing, and raise it in the last week.
Using the calculator for your set date
Enter your set date in the egg incubation calculator and pick duck or Muscovy. It gives the candling, lockdown and hatch dates, so you can plan the brooder at the same time with the brooder temperature chart.
Common questions
How long do duck eggs take to hatch?
About 28 days for Pekin and most common ducks, and up to 35 days for Muscovy.
Do Muscovy eggs take longer than other duck eggs?
Yes. Muscovy eggs typically take about 35 days, so their lockdown comes about a week later than Pekin's.
Figures are typical values from university extension and breed-association guidance. Estimates only. Individual animals vary — confirm pregnancy and health questions with your veterinarian.