Duck nest on the side of my koi pond was ransacked by an opposum. 2 eggs were destroyed, 10 went into the pond where I found them on the bottom. Mom is gone. I had no idea how long they were in the cold water but I went in and got them out. After taking them inside and bringing them to room temperature, I candled them with a flashlight and there was movement inside. I have absolutely no experience but could not just let them die. I made a makeshift incubator and after 24 hours found that all 10 were alive and moving. Fast forward 7 days and 9 babies are still alive and growing in an incubator I bought on Amazon. Given that I have no idea how old they truly are (only saw mallard Mom & Dad briefly in my yard on 03.31, and discovered Mom sitting on eggs on 04.14) would someone please help me determine what day we are possibly on? It’s very hard to tell vs. the growth charts online. I had assumed they were laid on the 31st but they don’t look big enough to be on Day 27.
An animal rescue/rehabilitation service is coming to take them once they are hatched. They couldn’t guarantee that they had the time and resources to incubate them and I didn’t want to risk the eggs just being discarded. I want to at least help them to survive and hatch. Besides the time in the cold koi pond and transition to a real incubator, they have been at the correct temperature and humidity. I have been turning them at least 3 times a day, and cooling/misting once daily. I would appreciate any insight in determining when they may actually hatch. These pictures were taken this evening.
Thank you!
An animal rescue/rehabilitation service is coming to take them once they are hatched. They couldn’t guarantee that they had the time and resources to incubate them and I didn’t want to risk the eggs just being discarded. I want to at least help them to survive and hatch. Besides the time in the cold koi pond and transition to a real incubator, they have been at the correct temperature and humidity. I have been turning them at least 3 times a day, and cooling/misting once daily. I would appreciate any insight in determining when they may actually hatch. These pictures were taken this evening.
Thank you!
