10 week old ducks already fertilizing eggs!?

[Duckieduck]

Is this the norm? I gathered a few eggs the other day and when I cracked them open, they were very definitely fertilized and had visible embryos. I didn't know they mated this early, but these are my only boys. I only even know they're boys cos they have suck a quiet little whispery quack, they don't even have green heads yet. They're cambell/rouen mix.

 

[Pyxis]

Had they been under a broody duck? Could what you were seeing have been meat spots?

 

[Duckieduck]

I am not sure what a meat spot is, but this looks to me like an embryo?

 

[Duckieduck]

Sorry, didn't mean to post it twice And yes, they were raised under a muscovy.

 

[chickens really]

Are you sure you don't have a Muscovy Drake?....
10 weeks is very young....I guess anything is possible....

 

[Duckieduck]

I only have one muscovy, definitely a female, I have three 10 week old Campbell's who all appear to be male, and one Indian runner who I think is male but is only 5 weeks old. And then the others are all definitely girls cos they all lay! Thats definitely an embryo right?

 

[chickens really]

Yes..It sure appears to be....

 

[chickens really]

Do they swim on a pond ?.....any chance a wild Duck bred her?

 

[Duckieduck]

nope, fenced yard, no other ducks nearby. Weird isn't it! Do they mate at night? I see no signs of mating in the day. Ive found three like that now, and Id keep them if I could. My muscovy is broody so Id let her hatch them but don't know which duck has the fertilized eggs.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I am not sure what a meat spot is, but this looks to me like an embryo? View attachment 1052360 View attachment 1052360

Not sure if that is a meat spot, or something to be worried about... I don't believe that is an embryo... an embryo would have a network of red veins spidered out around it... if you have gotten a few of these, I am wondering if there might be something wrong with the reproductive organs of one of your girls... just one like that per day? Is she a new layer?