Fertile Eggs in Winter?

[casportpony]

I’ve seen them breeding, so fairly certain they’re fertile. Would there be any way to hatch them? It’s her first clutch, so I’d like to try.

If she makes a nest in a warm enough spot they might be okay. Coldest it gets here is mid to high 20's and as long as mine have chosen a sheltered spot they can hatch theirs. Temps in the 20's are not ideal for broodies or ducklings, so you might be better off removing the eggs.

 

[Haydog03]

If she makes a nest in a warm enough spot they might be okay. Coldest it gets here is mid to high 20's and as long as mine have chosen a sheltered spot they can hatch theirs. Temps in the 20's are not ideal for broodies or ducklings, so you might be better off removing the eggs.

I’ll leave them for a bit, because we’ve got a warm spell for a while (50’s) and she seems to enjoy just being near them. If it gets colder, we’ll make an incubator and take out the eggs! I just hope they hatch!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Never know till you try!!

 

[Haydog03]

Sorry to trudge this up; but, I have two males and one female (the one laying). If she hatched the eggs (or I do) will the males accept the babies?

Also, I’m really trying to fix the ratio... but there’s a lack of female ducks where I’m from.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What state are you in @Haydog3 maybe try your states thread if you haven't already.

It's usually best to give mama and ducklings 2-3 weeks separated from other flock members but where everyone can see each other. Drakes especially can be unpredictable when it comes to ducklings.

 

[Haydog03]

What state are you in @Haydog3 maybe try your states thread if you haven't already.

It's usually best to give mama and ducklings 2-3 weeks separated from other flock members but where everyone can see each other. Drakes especially can be unpredictable when it comes to ducklings.

I’ll try my states thread! I’ve found a few breeders, but they have Call ducks, and my males are Pekin and Cayuga... anywho, I guess I’ll have to build another pen for Pato and her babies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use the poultry fencing that is plastic from Lowes and the push in fence poles around a small coop that mama and ducklings use. That way everyone can see them and vise versa but they are safe. Then once I let them out with the flock the fence comes down and rolls up till next time.

 

[Haydog03]

I use the poultry fencing that is plastic from Lowes and the push in fence poles around a small coop that mama and ducklings use. That way everyone can see them and vise versa but they are safe. Then once I let them out with the flock the fence comes down and rolls up till next time.

Oh my! I love that idea! Wish I had thought of it, lol! Should the coop have a pool area? Wouldn’t the babies drown...?

 

[Miss Lydia]

A paint tray would be good for babies to start with but not necessary especially if your temps aren’t warm make sure any water container is up where ducklings ant climb into and drown.

 

[KodaB15]

So I have10 ducks, 8 pekin, 1 rouen and 1 Indian runner. The females had 3 seperate nests this summer and we left them go to see if any would be broody but they never were. So once the weather started to get freezing/snowing we threw away the eggs in their nests. Not even exaggerating that next day in their pen we had 3 eggs, and have had 2-3 eggs since. This week alone I have gotten 18 eggs. I am given them away because we can't use that many that fast. My question is, is this normal?? I am only a 2nd year duck momma and my first group of ducklings we only had one female, and she never layed eggs in the winter.