Can a whole nest be rotten?

[Miss Lydia]

For the first time ever she just came down again! Which is so weird because she was just down. But I got 2 more eggs and candled them, one was just clear but it was the first one I had ever candled that wasn't rotten so I put it back just incase but the second had veins and a baby duck and I was able to see it move and I now have some hope that at least a few will hatch!

That is very exciting, Congrats. probably the clear one needs to be removed, and now since you found more rotting I would suggest you candle them all marking the ones that are growing. That way you know which ones are the good ones. Isn't it awesome to see the duckling moving inside the egg. according to the chart how far along in days do you think they are?

 

[Roscoe Mandella]

Ok I will try to get the rest candled and marked. By the looks of the chart it seemed to be between the day 24 and day 26 pictures. The egg was mostly full but I was still able to see some veins. It was really exciting and I can't wait to do the rest! So I should remove any that aren't fertile? And also is it possible for the ones that were rotten to contaminate the growing ones? Thanks for all your help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok I will try to get the rest candled and marked. By the looks of the chart it seemed to be between the day 24 and day 26 pictures. The egg was mostly full but I was still able to see some veins. It was really exciting and I can't wait to do the rest! So I should remove any that aren't fertile? And also is it possible for the ones that were rotten to contaminate the growing ones? Thanks for all your help!

As long as the eggs hadn't blown up I'd say your okay, There could be a small amount of bacteria but if your seeing movement then it seems all is good, yes take out eggs that show no sign of development especially if this far along, Probably not fertile eggs.

 

[Roscoe Mandella]

Thanks! I will candle again as soon as she's off to see how many are fertile.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks! I will candle again as soon as she's off to see how many are fertile.

 

[Roscoe Mandella]

As I went to candle I had one egg in my hand when I was attacked by my Muscovy. She flew at me and tried landing on me and I just took the egg I had and ran! I looked and it was most definitely rotten and my duck wouldn't let me near her nest again so it's a no-go for today also. I guess I'll try again tomorrow and hopefully she will be in a better mood haha. I really thought I would have a chance today, it's only making me more anxious to see how many have babies inside because out of the 14 that were left 1 was rotten and I know one was infertile from yesterdays candling. So down to 12! With 1 for sure fertile! I'll keep hoping!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Go out there, grab her bill with one hand, and lift her off the nest. She will be mad, but you can live! just grab a basket, pick the eggs up carefully and then bring it somewhere dark. Stop doing the thing where you go out there and only grab 1-2 eggs. You risk having a rotten egg explode and kill all the other embryos. She is a tiny duck. You are (even if a kid) at least 20 times her size. If the eggs are so far along, how would you like them all dying because you couldn't get a rotten egg in time? Or you couldn't grab all the rotten egg covered eggs in time to clean them because your scared of your duck?
If you don't want to remove her from the nest, next time she gets off grab all eggs.
You can always take a cardboard box and put her in it to avoid her attacking you and risk breaking an egg.
Best of luck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I agree about not letting her intimidate you, I can prove it I have 2 Scovy's that are wanting to brood, every morning I have to stick my hand down under them to make sure they don't have a hidden egg, boy can they pinch but I have to do it because I can't have any more ducklings this year. Your duck will be mad but she'll get over it. Lock her outside till you get the eggs gathered up then when you come out close the door so she can't get back in till you have calmly candled all the eggs then after you have tossed any that are rotten or clear put the rest back then let her inside, she'll go right back to arranging her eggs and sitting, but you'll have taken care of business and hopefully will have seen more live ducklings.

 

[Roscoe Mandella]

Ok she finally came off and I got down to business and took all the eggs. No more were rotten but 5 were clear. So I got rid off those and now I'm down to 8. I think it looked like 2 weren't moving when I was candling. Does that mean they are dead or is it possible they are asleep or something? They were as far along as the other eggs.

 

[Roscoe Mandella]

Also thanks for the courage you guys!