Call Ducks Finally Hatched

[Lacrystol]

We've made it to day 25 and they've started to pip internally

So exciting!!! Should have some babies by Saturday

Maybe some early birds tomorrow but most look like they're on schedule for Saturday. Woohoo

NICE, come on kids, come on..

 

[Lacrystol]

I got my mandarins last May. Actually I got all my ducks last spring. I was having a mid-life crisis, and decided to do something I had always wanted to do. Raise small ducks. So I turned my backyard into an aviary and got my ducks. They will lay eggs in the spring. And yes, I have been busy building nest boxes, they can be mounted on poasts. The Teal and Wood Ducks will need their own too. These will all raise their babies themselves. They do a really good job because they mate for life, and both parents help raise the babies together. The Teal will split duties as the babies start getting more independent, the male will take over while the female lays another clutch. The have 3 clutches in the summer. The tree ducks tend to just lay eggs all over, and not sit on them. Those will go into the incubator. I am not sure about the east indies yet. They should have a long laying period, and will keep laying for a few months. Come spring I will have many many baby ducks.

...

Mate for life? What happens if one of them is gone? Say a predator gets one, are they able to match up with another or is that it, he'll or she will never mate again??

 

[Lacrystol]

Good and bad news this morning. Most of the babies are working their way out. Only 1 external pip so far though. Pretty sure there are 3 quitters though which breaks my heart. 1 for sure that I opened. Fully developed but still had a yolk sac a little smaller than a golf ball. His beak was outside the membrane so may have internally pipped but I don't know. I left the other 2 in there because they don't smell and want to be sure before opening them. So sad. I hope the others continue to be ok. Safe holes tonight if no progress.

AWWW that's sad.. I would probably get the safe hole going right now.

 

[Lacrystol]

Don't want to rain on your parade....

mine are hatching this morning.....one pushing its way out so far...

NICE, WOOO HOOO

 

[peachncrm37]

SOOOO THIS IS THE LADY, HAHAHA LET ME CHECK THIS OUT.  HAHHAHHAHA

Haha yes. My poor friend has no idea when she is supposed to deliver her ducks. I feel so bad.

 

[Lacrystol]

Haha yes. My poor friend has no idea when she is supposed to deliver her ducks. I feel so bad.

I knew I could get it out of you eventually. LOL

 

[peachncrm37]

First one!!!

 

[peachncrm37]

I want butterscotch calls.

 

[clousert]

Safe holes made. Pretty sure 5 total quitters but all 11 of the others have pipped internally and are moving about. 2 had pipped externally themselves

 

[Lacrystol]

OMG he's soooooo cute!!!