- Oct 3, 2010
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Last spring/early summer, I was given two ducklings (and 2 chicks, but they are a different story). They are cujuga (sp?) mix to the best of my knowledge. That was what I was told, anyways. They basically have the cujuga markings, but one has a white patch on it's chest. They are two different sizes. They seem to quack differently (I was told this is how to sex them - true or not, I'm not sure yet). I don't know how much the quack is linked to gender or breed.
Anyways, to my delight, I found a duck egg in the pen today! I know it's a duck egg because my hen consistantly lays brown eggs. Very excited about today's find! The duck has not been too happy about the hen peering in on the egg. Kind of funny if you ask me since the hen has been laying in the box nearly every day since the beginning of October.
So.... I'm thinking of letting the duck hatch the egg (eggs of she lays more) since she so far seems inclined to sit on it. The hen doesn't seem to inclined, but I also steal it from her daily and don't give her much of a chance. BUT there is the lingering question on the gender of the second duck. If it's another female, I certainly won't get any ducklings.
My basic questions are these....
How many eggs would a duck typically lay in her clutch (is it a clutch for a duck?)?
What is the incubation time of a duck egg? The chicken eggs are 21 days, so how do they compare? My thinking is allowing the duck to sit on some chicky eggs to see what happens. Also to see if one of these birds will hatch some eggs!
I was expecting the duck egg to be larger. It is the size of my hen's leg which is typically a tad larger than a store bought large egg .. until she drops me a double-yolker than it's a dinosaur sized egg!
Any enlightenment is appreciated!!!
Anyways, to my delight, I found a duck egg in the pen today! I know it's a duck egg because my hen consistantly lays brown eggs. Very excited about today's find! The duck has not been too happy about the hen peering in on the egg. Kind of funny if you ask me since the hen has been laying in the box nearly every day since the beginning of October.
So.... I'm thinking of letting the duck hatch the egg (eggs of she lays more) since she so far seems inclined to sit on it. The hen doesn't seem to inclined, but I also steal it from her daily and don't give her much of a chance. BUT there is the lingering question on the gender of the second duck. If it's another female, I certainly won't get any ducklings.
My basic questions are these....
How many eggs would a duck typically lay in her clutch (is it a clutch for a duck?)?
What is the incubation time of a duck egg? The chicken eggs are 21 days, so how do they compare? My thinking is allowing the duck to sit on some chicky eggs to see what happens. Also to see if one of these birds will hatch some eggs!
I was expecting the duck egg to be larger. It is the size of my hen's leg which is typically a tad larger than a store bought large egg .. until she drops me a double-yolker than it's a dinosaur sized egg!
Any enlightenment is appreciated!!!