The Gallus Way
In the Brooder
OK, here's the deal. We got 5 lovely ducklings from tractor supply this past spring and it has been great watching them grow up. They have now started laying eggs which is awesome. So what's the problem? We had no idea how many eggs they were laying! We didn't realize that they were burying their eggs in the bedding; I discovered a nest of 29 eggs 11 of which are very dark inside which leads me to believe that there are developing ducks in there. I started cracking open some of the fresher looking eggs and sure enough several had well developed disks in the yokes.
My question: Will any new eggs be near the top? I buried the 11 back pretty deep into the bedding and the ducks seem to be OK with that. I plan on checking every morning and night now but I want to avoid handling the fertilized eggs (right?). How do I do that and be sure to get all the new ones. (We don't need more than 11 ducks hatching actually 3-4 would be marvelous especially if the Duck Gods blessed us with all females.)
Or... should I just say "live and learn" and ditch them all now? Maybe try next spring instead after I have learned more.
Thoughts, experiences, greatly appreciated here!
Thanks,
Cindy
My question: Will any new eggs be near the top? I buried the 11 back pretty deep into the bedding and the ducks seem to be OK with that. I plan on checking every morning and night now but I want to avoid handling the fertilized eggs (right?). How do I do that and be sure to get all the new ones. (We don't need more than 11 ducks hatching actually 3-4 would be marvelous especially if the Duck Gods blessed us with all females.)
Or... should I just say "live and learn" and ditch them all now? Maybe try next spring instead after I have learned more.
Thoughts, experiences, greatly appreciated here!
Thanks,
Cindy