Duck hatch, Kahki Campbells, young hen

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Hi, I had a horrible cold snap here so I had to keep everyone inside while the weather calmed down. My drake got too 'eager' being locked up all day and plucked his hen's neck much too aggressively. I separated them (window between) but they had to stay indoors.

I worried about many things (like cold and fresh water and her injuries on her neck), but I did not worry about collecting the duck's eggs. I thought vaguely that it gave her something to do. (My hens don't have a rooster so when they sit on eggs there is never a concern)

(You have the benefit of hindsight here...)

So, as you figured out, she has now gone full broody on me. I never had a male/female combo, so these are my first fertile eggs. I am not sure the mating was "successful" he mostly seems pretty incompetent at inserting himself (really good at plucking though).

I don't especially want babies, but if they have started to develop I feel badly about killing them. How long before I can check the eggs to know if they are fertile? I don't have any special equipment on hand. I don't know if it helps to say, both drake and hen were born June 1, so they are 8 months old.

 

[SilverBirds]

How many days has she been sitting? How many eggs are there? You can candle the eggs using a regular flashlight or the light on your phone. Look for veining and movement. Feel free to post any pictures of the candled eggs if you are confused about what you are seeing.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

She has 6 eggs, not really sure how many days...

Less than a week, more than 4 days.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

She is protective like an angry goose, so getting the eggs is going to be hilarious (definitely will need my spouse to help hold her while I touch the nest!) She even buries them under some straw before leaving the nest to eat/drink/bath even though food is about a foot away from the basket!

 

[SilverBirds]

She has 6 eggs, not really sure how many days...

Less than a week, more than 4 days.

I could see development in my duck eggs on day three. Look for something similar in yours.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

She is beautiful to see... Very good momma... I will give her a few more days... Then we'll see if there is anything growing.

Gosh, if they do hatch I am going to have to dig a new pond!

I'll post the picture once I have them thank you!

 

[SilverBirds]

How big is the area you have her in? It's important for broody mamas to be off the next at least 20 minutes to bathe, eat, drink, poop, stretch and preen so she does not become ill.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

How big is the area you have her in? It's important for broody mamas to be off the next at least 20 minutes to bathe, eat, drink, poop, stretch and preen so she does not become ill.

She has 4'x3' space, the basket is a rubber drinking/bathing basin full of straw (the black ones you put outside in winter, maybe 20" circle)

She can walk around, (has the room) but she sits the eggs most of the time. Should I pick her up and take her out to get some exercise if she won't leave the basket?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

@SilverBirds

I am taking her out of her coop to take bathes and eat and drink (she has all that in her coop, but she seems to barely be getting up off the eggs)

She seems to be losing weight, do I get rid of the eggs? Is she making herself sick, or is this normal? I don't know if a month of this is a good idea...

 

[SilverBirds]

Weight loss is normal. Hens don't eat as much when they're broody, which is why having a hen sit on eggs that are not fertile or having her sit for longer than necessary isn't good for her health.

Be careful when taking her away from the nest. While it is good for her to get up and stretch, you don't want to accidently break her off her broodiness.

Have you candled the eggs yet to see if they are viable?