It's been a long time since we hatched out ducks, but I remember having to spray(mist) the eggs with water to replicate the amount of moisture they'd receive in Nature from the mama duck. Good luck!

We're also in MI, and some friends got us interested in doing shitake logs 10 years or so ago. Our first logs we used boxelder and walnut because that's what we've got here on the property. We got zip - nada - for 9 years, though we could see the characteristic white threads growing on the logs. Then last year they surprised us and gave us about 7 beautiful mushrooms. That got us jazzed again, and we started more logs, this time with oak we got from a friend. A month or so back during one of the strange cool rainy periods we've been having this year, they started to fruit. I could see at least 7 buttons, and then - the slugs ate them all! We were also told this year that we should be soaking them in drums or troughs - we picked up a used plastic drum, but haven't used it yet. But it's raining today - will have to check later to see if anything new is happening. So, anyway - Bob, if you can find a way to dunk them, do so. But you still might not see any results till next year - patience.

I can't remember how long it takes for palamedes or spicebush swallowtail eggs to hatch, because it's been so long since I brought in an egg. I usually bring in the hatchlings. I'm thinking it takes about 5-6 days? If they've been streaked for several days without hatching, chances are they won't, something went wrong. But don't give up just yet, I've seen strange things happen. Sherry

Yep, a little of both. Male will feed her but she will also leave and eat on her own. She knows how long she can be gone and how long the eggs need to be incubated.