Ducks laying

[Drowett]

We have just had our first eggs from our Indian runners. I would like to hatch some eggs naturally instead of using a incubator and I would be very gratefull of any advise. When is the best time, how do I know when the duck will sit on them etc.

Please help.

 

[Kevin565]

It's very unlikely your runners will sit. That quality has been bred out for many years to increase egg production.

 

[Amiga]

Kevin565, shhhh, don´t tell Fünfie. She's been sitting for over four weeks now, doesn´t know that runners don´t do that.

Drowett, welcome to the Duck Forum!!!

Most runners aren´t good broodies, but there are some. Sepp Holzer is a farmer in Austria who has bred his runners so that broodiness is a characteristic in his flock. I don´t know how long it took, but he say he lets his ducks do all the hatching.

I found out that Fünf is a broody her first summer. She has had help from Elfie and Sechs and Sieben, but she is the one most likely to stick it out.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Welcome to the forum! And welcome to ducks! I am new to ducks, but can't wait until my Welsh Harlequins start laying. You will find lots of advice from lots of great people here. I have!!

 

[Kevin565]

Kevin565, shhhh, don´t tell Fünfie. She's been sitting for over four weeks now, doesn´t know that runners don´t do that.

 

[Drowett]

Thanks all for the advice.