Da' Cute and Cuddly Call Duck thread!

[Debs Flock]

Hello everyone! I haven't been on for awhile and thought I would stop in and say hi.

It's been quite a winter here in Minnesota. It went from being in the 60's in December and everyone still swimming in their pools to negative Temps. It's finally bearable again now. Gidget started laying about 3 weeks ago! She's a laying machine. I thought it was early but with them being indoor calls maybe not... Gadget has been showing interest too! So I suppose we will see what happens. She doesn't really like me near her eggs when I go to mark them but isn't sitting regularly on them either. I took the oldest ones out and left her with a few.
@Amykins I'm happy to hear Bean is laying and Wobs is figuring things out! Lol. I hope all goes well with hatching! I'm so excited for you!

Hello @JLynnsDuckies ! Congrats on Gidget laying. Are you going to give her a chance to hatch some?

 

[Amykins]

Speaking of laying...guys, I have a SERIOUS problem. Remember how I said I had two eggs that were growing? One of them has died. I don't know why. The other is going strong, but this leaves me in an impossible lurch. I cannot in good faith give just one call duck baby to my friend. She needs at least a pair. Bean lay another egg this morning which I could set, egg #1 is on day 5 and I've successfully hatched staggered clutches like that and had no problems going into lockdown a few days early. But my question is, should I?

The remaining embryo is so tiny, but it still wiggles when I candle it. I'd be heartbroken to have to unplug, but...I don't know if it's the kindest thing to do.

Someone, please help. I'm in tears and I just don't know what action to take.

 

[buff goose guy]

Hatch the baby it has begun life and just start with the other egg and hope for the best that's the best advice I can give

 

[Amykins]

Hatch the baby it has begun life and just start with the other egg and hope for the best

that's the best advice I can give

I don't even know if this new egg is fertile, though...what if it isn't and then I'm stuck with one chick who will grow up miserable? I'm utterly heartbroken by this turn of events. I just wish I knew why the other egg didn't make it. It couldn't have been a yolk infection, not this early in. Both Wobs and Bean are young and healthy, so I doubt it's a genetic flaw. I haven't removed it from the bator yet, but I see the veins dissolving and I'm just so upset

 

[AmandaVirginia]

@Amykins I definitely second @buff goose guy. The little one is alive and growing, pulling the plug on it is what would be utterly heartbreaking. If he or she does make it to lock down and hatches you can then 1) keep it 2) or rehome it with someone that already has ducklings/ducks. It could have a wonderful life.

 

[Amykins]

@Amykins I definitely second @buff goose guy . The little one is alive and growing, pulling the plug on it is what would be utterly heartbreaking. If he or she does make it to lock down and hatches you can then 1) keep it 2) or rehome it with someone that already has ducklings/ducks. It could have a wonderful life.

I know, I just worry since I know you aren't supposed to do staggered hatches, like, ever. It's been one week. I've had eggs go into lockdown on day 21 (breeder insisted his calls were out of the egg by day 24) and they wound up emerging right as rain on day 28. So much for hatching early. Even so, it's a tough situation. I'm relocating to CA at the end of February, so my nerves are quite thoroughly rattled right now!

 

[Ravynscroft]

I know, I just worry since I know you aren't supposed to do staggered hatches, like, ever. It's been one week. I've had eggs go into lockdown on day 21 (breeder insisted his calls were out of the egg by day 24) and they wound up emerging right as rain on day 28. So much for hatching early. Even so, it's a tough situation. I'm relocating to CA at the end of February, so my nerves are quite thoroughly rattled right now!

It'll work out... I have done staggers before too... not ideal, but you can do it...

 

[Amykins]

It'll work out... I have done staggers before too... not ideal, but you can do it...

I hope so. I got the cards stacked against me as it is. :/ Poor lil' eggies.

 

[Ravynscroft]

I hope so. I got the cards stacked against me as it is. :/ Poor lil' eggies.

Got all my fingers crossed for ya!

 

[JLynnsDuckies]

   Hello @JLynnsDuckies
!  Congrats on Gidget laying.  Are you going to give her a chance to hatch some?

Hello Deb! I figured I would let her try. The people I got her from have always incubated her eggs, so I'm hoping she'll figure it out on her own. We'll see...