Nice article. I just have chickens now because we moved and don't have enough space, but in the past I've always had ducks and geese. As far as raising ducklings, I do prefer a naturally broody breed over an incubator. Duck eggs require a lot of turning and you therefore need a top of the line automatic turning incubator. With a manual one it is hard to do the turning needed for a top hatch (although they are great for chicken, quail, pheasant eggs). And you need a big incubator if you want to hatch goose eggs. Muscovies and mallards are excellent natural mothers, Rouens and Blue Swedes will go broody as well. I've even had Indian runners go broody, although I had to pen the mother and her babies or take the babies from her because runners are so hyper and will leave the babies stranded on pasture. My favorite goose breed is the American buff, they are pretty and make excellent setters and mothers. By the way, I've read Konrad Lorenz's book and it is a delightful read, written for laypeople to enjoy as well as scientists. The title is "Er redet mit dem Vieh, den Voegeln und den Fischen" (He talks to the animals, the birds and the fish) and I believe the English version is titled "Ring of Solomon" (which is the title of one of the chapters in the book and refers to King Solomon who with his wisdom could supposedly talk to animals as well).
It is very general and hopefully at least three more articles can follow this one.
For the incubation part, check into the information about opening the incubator and misting the eggs with water. This actually removes moisture from the egg as the water evaporates off of the shell. Water does not go into the egg when you spray them. The cooling that happens also helps the embryo develop.
