First time hatching duck eggs

[TammyC]

Hello all, I am a fairly new duck momma. I have a pekin female and unknown male.. My female has been laying the eggs and my broody hen has been laying on them. I am not sure what days they are on but I have been candeling them and 5 of the 14 eggs have piped into the air sac and 3 of them have started chirping in the egg.. Like I said this is my first time, so do I leave them with Momma chicken or bring them into the house under a light? Any tips would be greatly appreciated... Super nervous and excited momma..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Is Mama chicken large enough to cover them? if so leave them with her. It goes on all the time and the ducklings will be fine. and Congrats. keep us updated on hatching and pics when you can... and

 

[TammyC]

Momma chicken is a buff and she does cover all of them.. I will take pics as they come..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Okay looking forward to seeing them...

 

[TammyC]

oh my goodness, 2 of them have started to pipe through the shell.. and the egg is really moving.. Once this starts how long should it take for them to get out? Do I leave it under the hen or bring them in under a heat lamp?

 

[70%cocoa]

Leave them under the hen. It sounds like she is doing a good job. Best to try not to disturb her too much at this stage.

Is your plan to take them away and hand-raise them?

 

[TammyC]

Ok, I will leave them, Its so hard cause I want to keep checking on them.. Do you think I should leave her for the night and check in on them in the morning? and I was planning on selling them but not sure yet...

 

[70%cocoa]

It's best at this stage if the hen is not disturbed too much. Before you go to bed maybe have a quick peek to make sure that any that have hatched are sitting under the hen, but don't poke around or touch the hen. If any ducklings are not under the hen just tuck them under her wings or under the feathers on her chest.

Then go to bed and try to sleep

You should have some ducklings running round tomorrow!

Congratulations to you and your hen!

 

[Miss Lydia]

And please leave them with your hen she has been doing this alot longer than you and it's in her make up to know how to take care of the ducklings. Can you imagine how you would feel if you sat for X many days and some one came and snatched your ducklings from you. You will enjoy them so much more if you can watch and let mama do all the work. All the best. and it can take up to 24 hrs or more for the duckling to completely get throught the egg, don't try to help because it will be absorbing the yolk and there will be blood which it will need to absorb too. If you try to help it could cause bleeding.

 

[TammyC]

Thank you guys.... I was wanting to leave them out there with her but wasnt sure it was ok.. now I know I will do that.. I wont touch them any more.. Just look in every now and then.. I am so glad I found this site cause I am sure I would try to help or something else..

you all are great.