First time hatching duck eggs

[70%cocoa]

Yes, I agree with you Miss Lydia, after reading the other posts

Hopefully the hen will settle now. I guess it's a 'play it by ear' situation.

So - I think you should leave her with the eggs for now - but maybe see if you can get hold of an incubator (and keep it warmed up to temp) in case she gets cranky with other hatchlings and you need to move the lot. Also, as Miss Lydia says, any that are far behind might need to be finished off in the incubator as the hatching process will start to put the hen out of 'sitting mode' and she might not stay for the week.

Do you know for sure that the eggs were set a week later, or is it maybe that they have stopped developing?

 

[TammyC]

THey were outside when it hatched cause I have the gate to the run closed and nothing can get to the others, they just wont have there regular perch to sleep on and the ducks will go in the dog house..

oh and it seems like its shedding already, is that normal.. I see what looks like small hair or something on the towel and some on my hands when I held him..

 

[70%cocoa]

OK, just saw that an incubator isn't possible. Not to worry - the hen may well be totally fine now that she feels safer

Just see what happens. If more hatch and she is good with them you have the option of slipping the first duckling back under her at night. But just monitor the situation and be prepared to raise it yourself if the hen is not keen.

At any rate, you have a lovely new duckling - so congratulations!!!

 

[70%cocoa]

When ducklings hatch they have a coating of protein over every bit of fluff. As they dry this becomes brittle and falls off. It does look like feather fluff. It's totally normal and means that your duckling is drying out nicely.

 

[TammyC]

70%cocoa :

Yes, I agree with you Miss Lydia, after reading the other posts

Hopefully the hen will settle now. I guess it's a 'play it by ear' situation.

So - I think you should leave her with the eggs for now - but maybe see if you can get hold of an incubator (and keep it warmed up to temp) in case she gets cranky with other hatchlings and you need to move the lot. Also, as Miss Lydia says, any that are far behind might need to be finished off in the incubator as the hatching process will start to put the hen out of 'sitting mode' and she might not stay for the week.

Do you know for sure that the eggs were set a week later, or is it maybe that they have stopped developing?

Yes I am just going to leave her and see what happens and as far as the others I dont really know.. I know the duck has been laying an egg a day and she still does but I take the new ones out because I dont know what else to do.. I had 15 eggs when she went broody on them and 1 was broke on Friday and didn't survive and now this one.. So the eggs were laid for 15 days.. so I dont really know..lol​

 

[70%cocoa]

No worries

Whatever hatches, hatches. You've done a great job so far.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Tammy, another thing you might think of is if you have a light on in the coop you might want to turn it off, having a light on is disruptive to their sleep cycle and might cause mama more stress, that is something we don't want at this time. I have a night light that I use in my duck coop it has a very soft amber color light. Just trying to think of things that might cause more problems, and like 70 said you have done great. I hope you can rest tonight. Are you in the US?

 

[TammyC]

Quote:
I have no light out there... It gets dark and they go to bed..lol They are all down for the night and found cozy spots on the yard... Yes I am in Kansas... I havent slept well in days because my husband is out of town so it will be hard not to go and check on them through the night, but I will resist.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I have no light out there... It gets dark and they go to bed..lol They are all down for the night and found cozy spots on the yard... Yes I am in Kansas... I havent slept well in days because my husband is out of town so it will be hard not to go and check on them through the night, but I will resist.

Good girl Hope you have a good night, I'll be here first thing in the morning to hear the "Good News" that all is well

of course you could go with a flash light and peek a few times before going to bed to just make sure she is settled. That way you might rest better.

 

[TammyC]

Good news, we have another baby!!! Healthy looking, just born, I did bring him/her inside. I was too afraid of something happening like last night with the other one.. The first has dried real nice and is starting to get his footing.. 3rd egg has externally started to pipe..

When should I put water and food in the box?