Don’t judge...never hatched my own eggs!

[LlamaGirl4]

I have 3 drakes and about 24 ducks And they have all mated with several ducks and I’ve never incubated or let my hens lay the eggs so sorry if this is a dumb question! But anyway I’m wondering if I can check for eggs that are developing And then put them back with a broody duck (about 4 are broody) or just let the ducks do there thing?
Also will the ducks have babies in the winter?

 

[Wezdin]

No experience with ducks, but with chickens you can and should candle them, if there is no growth get rid of the eggs so they don't explode under the duck.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Yes, you can check eggs for development and then put them under a broody duck. You should check all the eggs and mark them with a pencil so you know which ones you've already checked, and ones that aren't developing should be removed.
They aren't likely to go broody in winter, and will likely slow or entirely stop laying eggs. Not much food for babies in winter, after all.

 

[LlamaGirl4]

Yes, you can check eggs for development and then put them under a broody duck. You should check all the eggs and mark them with a pencil so you know which ones you've already checked, and ones that aren't developing should be removed.
They aren't likely to go broody in winter, and will likely slow or entirely stop laying eggs. Not much food for babies in winter, after all.

So I might want to wait for spring for ducklings? Even if some eggs are developing?

 

[Fishkeeper]

Unless you want to keep them inside until spring, yes. Ducklings and cold weather don't mix well, but domestic ducks are bred to keep laying eggs for at least most of the year, and male birds are hard-wired to mate frequently. The result of that is fertile eggs in a season that would be bad for growing babies.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I would wait to start hatching ducklings until the spring

 

[LlamaGirl4]

Unless you want to keep them inside until spring, yes. Ducklings and cold weather don't mix well, but domestic ducks are bred to keep laying eggs for at least most of the year, and male birds are hard-wired to mate frequently. The result of that is fertile eggs in a season that would be bad for growing babies.

Ok thanks. I’m going to try to let my ducks hatch then on there own so I’ll wait for spring. Tomorrow I’ll take the eggs from out broody ducks