Help - Near Threatened Red billed oyster catcher eggs for incubation - How to?

Allears said:

Hi All, what is the procedure when you put a different birds species eggs under a duck / hen? A nesting site was disturbed and because my duck is broody I was asked to try and hatch out the chicks. I remove the ducks eggs completely, or do I just replace a few. The oyster catchers eggs are bigger than the ducks eggs and look completely different colour wise. Duck is a very small muscovey. All input welcome.

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perchie.girl said:

Oh my goodness. Me personally I would remove the muscovy eggs. put those in an incubator where you know the time to hatch.

The broody will listen to hear when the chicks are to hatch.

for what its worth though its proibably better to not be involved other than to give the eggs to a broody. Once they hatch they need to be fearful from humans. To survive in the world. Unless you plan on keeping them.

I have to tell you I dont have water fowel of any kind. I want some but havent jumped into it. So If someone has better advice I would take it.

debEggs were brought to us because we hand rear orphaned wildlife and ring and release. Never had to hatch them out before though

The eggs are already too cold I'm sure. Thanks for your input.

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centrarchid said:

First concern I have is how sturdy are Oyster Catcher chicks at hatch as can they resist trampling. Then do you expect a problem of duck wanting to move brood that will now be more nest bound before you have an opportunity to intervene. Then you will have the imprinting issues on duck and you which you likely are familiar with.

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