Phlox Flock
Hatching
Having been told my runners wouldn't sit - they did!
... the first started sitting as soon as she had 2 eggs. Then she started stealing the other ducks' eggs until she had a pile of about 20. After about 3 weeks sitting another duck also decided she was broody and they have been sitting together sharing the nest (a very modern family with 2 mums!) Today is Friday - Wednesday 1 hatched, and yesterday another - both mums seem very proud of themselves!
However, my question is - because she sat from the first egg ... will the whole clutch still hatch in the same window - 72 hours-ish? Or might they actually hatch over the same period it took for her to lay and steal them all? I don't want to leave dead rotting eggs around the new ducklings, but I don't want to discard a healthy developing egg that's further behind in its growing process. How long should I wait and leave the other eggs? Does any one have any advice?
Thank you!!
... the first started sitting as soon as she had 2 eggs. Then she started stealing the other ducks' eggs until she had a pile of about 20. After about 3 weeks sitting another duck also decided she was broody and they have been sitting together sharing the nest (a very modern family with 2 mums!) Today is Friday - Wednesday 1 hatched, and yesterday another - both mums seem very proud of themselves!
However, my question is - because she sat from the first egg ... will the whole clutch still hatch in the same window - 72 hours-ish? Or might they actually hatch over the same period it took for her to lay and steal them all? I don't want to leave dead rotting eggs around the new ducklings, but I don't want to discard a healthy developing egg that's further behind in its growing process. How long should I wait and leave the other eggs? Does any one have any advice?
Thank you!!