Brooding duck question...

[DonaldFan]

My Abby girl has been brooding over her eggs and has laid 9 so far. Her previous clutch (since we've had her) has been 8 eggs. How many can I expect her to lay and is it true that they may not all be fertile? Right now we aren't sure if Donald actually bred with her or not. I know he tried but we'll see for sure soon enough.

Thank you in advance,

Jenn

 

[jdywntr]

Number will depend on breed, age, etc. It should be when she has lain all that she can cover. They may not all be fertile especially if she is young. My hens laid in the same nest, what ended up being 15. 11 hatched, 2 died during hatch after mom left the nest, 1 was pulled out of the nest early by one of the chickens (but was fertile as had formed embryo) and 1 was infertile. My girls were about 8 months old so did pretty good.

 

[DonaldFan]

Since she is a rescue I really have no idea how old she is. But thank you for your answer because it does help.

Jenn