Duck Mating Questions

[CountryGirl1984]

Ok my girl just laid her first egg ever. She is in with a male all the time. I understand that if I pick them up right away, the male will not fertilize the egg thus forming a baby duck. My question is what is the purpose of them mating with eachother if she lays eggs no matter what. Is it just for fun? Does it make some eggs more fertile? Any advice appreciated. New to duck eggs and breeding.

 

[needlessjunk]

Ok my girl just laid her first egg ever. She is in with a male all the time. I understand that if I pick them up right away, the male will not fertilize the egg this forming a baby duck. My question is what is the purpose of them mating with eachother if she lays eggs no matter what. Is it just for fun? Does it make some eggs more fertile? Any advice appreciated. New to duck eggs and breeding.

If he is mating her the eggs are already fertilized. She has to sit on them to incubate them in order for them to turn into duvklings and hatch. If you gather them then you won't run the risk of opening up a duckling or anything they are just fertile. You can eat them or hatch artificially, it's up to you. She will lay eggs no matter but they aren't fertile if there is no male.

 

[CountryGirl1984]

If he is mating her the eggs are already fertilized. She has to sit on them to incubate them in order for them to turn into duvklings and hatch. If you gather them then you won't run the risk of opening up a duckling or anything they are just fertile. You can eat them or hatch artificially, it's up to you. She will lay eggs no matter but they aren't fertile if there is no male.

Ahhh. Gotcha! I have been trying to figure this out. I think I got it now!