Broody duck about to hatch!

[TwistedTayy]

This is her first brood (and mine, though I’ve hatched a lot artificially). She’s technically due on Sunday but who knows what’s going to happen. Tbh I’m not sure she will hatch any, I haven’t been able to candle but I’ve been tossing smelly eggs and eggs that she’s pushed out which have all been early quitters so far.

She has been looking for bits of straw to reinforce her nest so I hope that means they’re getting close. this is more anxiety than incubating.

 

[ruthhope]

That's exciting. What sort of duck is she? Is she sitting inside the coop? What is the temperature/weather like where you are? Good luck!

 

[TwistedTayy]

That's exciting. What sort of duck is she? Is she sitting inside the coop? What is the temperature/weather like where you are? Good luck!

I have a flock of welsh harlequins. I’ve sectioned off a private corner for her. It has a little doggie door that can be locked when the other ducks are in the coop (the drake likes to bother her) but during the day she comes and goes as she likes. I wasn’t optimistic about the weather but we’ve had so many eggs that we’ve been throwing them out so I figured there’s no harm and I’ll try to help them as best as I can. Earlier in the week it was mid 60s in the day and low 50s at night but the last couple days it’s gotten cold and will be a low in the high 20s until Sunday then back up to 50s. It gets quite warm in the coop though. It’s a metal building with alternating metal/clear corrugated roofing panels and the nest is in one of those insulated dogloos. I’m optimistic that IF any hatch and IF she doesn’t kill them then they will be fine.

She hasn’t left her nest since yesterday afternoon (it’s now 10:30pm). I have a camera set up so I can creep. So I’m hoping that’s her going into lockdown. She’s had a all flock grower and all flock maintenance pellets available with a large rubber feed pan of water (like I said she is able to leave and get anything she needs from the yard). Thinking I’ll set up a lower duckling height feeder with some purina all flock starter crumbles this weekend. I prefer mazuri and I have some of that but it’s pellets so may just start putting that out next week.

Cannot. Wait.

The whole reason I got ducks at all was so I could see a duckling train.

 

[ruthhope]

Your weather shouldn't be a problem if she mother ducks her ducklings properly! Good luck!