Duck missing from nest "help" update 5-22

[scgamecock]

There is a pond next to my father inlaw's business that has wild Mallard Ducks in it and there is a hen that has laid a nest of egg's up against the building.She has not started sitting on them yet but she has been missing for several days and my question is should i get the egg's and try to incubate them.I've never tried Ducks before and I really don't want to keep them but I would release them back at the pond when they are large enough.Should I try and how long would I have to keep them before they could be released?Help me out!!

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

If she has gone missing for that long then I doubt she will be back. So it really is up to you if you want to incubate them or not. If it were me I would. You would need to keep the babies until they are a good 3-4 months old (fully feathered) and you would have to keep human contact to a bare minimum if you want the to be wild. Ducks are natural foragers so that's not really an issue. And if there are other ducks around at the time when you decide to release them there will be some squabble but they would learn what to do.

Me, I'd give it a go....just make sure you won't get in trouble for it

 

[scgamecock]

It's just a retention pond for the buildings around there.The ducks are wild but 'tame' if you know what I mean.I just thought I could try my hand at hatching ducks and also give the little fellows a chance.

 

[ticks]

snatch them up!



grammers, grammers, grammers

 

[poultrykeeper08]

I agree get em .I have been trying to find 1-2 more to go with the one "rock"i have hatching next week

 

[scgamecock]

I think I'm going to get them and try to hatch em.I keep everyone posted on what happens.

 

[scgamecock]

There are 8 egg's and they will be here in a few minutes.Is the temps and humidity the same as for chicken's?

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Temps are the same, humidity should run about 65-70%. Stop turning on day 26 and they should hatch day 27-29

 

[scgamecock]

Thanks for the info.

 

[scgamecock]

I just candled the eggs and all 6 have spider veins.

I should have waited another day or so but even though the eggs are green they are so easy to see thru.Almost like a white chicken egg.I didn't know how long they had been laid but I guess they are fine.I'll keep everyone posted on this adventure.I'm so excited!! I may have a hard time letting them go.