how many days will a duck sit her nest after ducklings start to hatch?

My duck finally hatched out 4 ducklings. she is still on the nest . How long will she stay with the rest of the unhatched eggs before she abandons the nest?
Any advice on new ducklings? This is the fist time one of my ducks had hatched a brood.

puddleducks2329 said:

My duck finally hatched out 4 ducklings. she is still on the nest . How long will she stay with the rest of the unhatched eggs before she abandons the nest?
Any advice on new ducklings? This is the fist time one of my ducks had hatched a brood.

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Congratulations on the hatch, she will most likely get up about 3rd day that's the usual, some get up sooner some later just depends on the duck actually, just put starter and water close by so she can show ducklings where food is if she is still sitting on some eggs. What I usually do if by day 3 no other eggs have hatched I candle to see what's going on and toss if need be. Your mama duck will tend to the ducklings all you need to do is make sure they have food and water and are protected form preds and the rest of your flock. Enjoy, it's so much fun watching mama and ducklings. Some mamas are better than others so keep an eye on them the first couple days she brings them out to make sure she is keeping them close and watching over them.

My very first broody duck, a runner, sat for 4 days after hatch started. I've had hens get up after the first day too. I usually go out after she's left to see if any leftover eggs have pipped. I've brought in and finished hatching a couple. In my experience, the eggs that are left don't usually hatch. I'll go out and clean out the nest, sometimes put in new bedding, so that mom has a nice nest to start raising her babies in. Usually, they'll keep them inside for a day or 2. Watch your other adults with them too. Drakes and other hens may not appreciate the new invaders.

I usually put food/water out the day after hatch starts. Remember to offer day old appropriate feed, feeders and waterers.

Since this is your first time, and possible the duck's too, try to leave her to it as much as possible. We all want to get a look but I find that this can stress out mom and when she is trying to protect her babies, she can accidentally injure them by stepping on them. Keep an eye on her for the first few days. Not all good broodies are good mommas. I've had hens abandon babies after a few days.

Congrats! Post pics when you can.

Thanks for the advice! I did stress mom ouy a bit when i offered her some food but she settled when she figured it out. In terms of other ducks so far the father is very protective of the nest...and curious about the new additions. (mom had her brood under some bushes near the house garden. ) He won't go into the bushes but waits outside, peeking in ocassinaly. He chases the dog and cat as they pass by, which is amusing because neither really take much notice of the ducks. The other female duck has also taken to being protective of the nesting area so I hope this good behavior continues.

So mom sat for two days then finally emerged with five little ducklings. Two eggs left they were both bad. Moms being a stink about me getting too close. [/IMG]

Thay look so cute any chance you could get a closer pic pretty please?

petcommunicator said:

Thay look so cute any chance you could get a closer pic pretty please?

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Click on the pic petcommunicator it makes it bigger.

There still cute!!!

petcommunicator said:

There still cute!!!

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Yes they are.