- Jul 14, 2014
- 78
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hi there,
I've got a pair of call ducks with mummy sat on 7 eggs just now. At least 3 are fertile as she payed 2 different nests over a week and I combined them.
I read that call ducks are a 26 day hatching time so I've left mummy to it but I don't want her to hatch all 7 in the nest. The reason being last time she had ducklings we lost half to them flattening them.
I reckon she is almost there as it's currently day 23, she is very loyal to sitting on the eggs and when I candled them they are all dark inside. No light passes a through them.
Every morning she leaves the nest for breakfast and that's the only time she is happy for me to check her nest. I'm wanting to remove them at the last moment so they can hatch naturally but won't all bond with mummy.
How close to day 26 do I have to be to do this? I dont have an incubator so they have to be fully developed. Will I hear them inside the egg the day before they appear?
My children are very excited for them but it was crushing to have 3 killed by the parents and explain it to a 2 year old... so this time we want to hand raise some so the children can learn.
Any help would be great as I'm getting very close to H-day and don't want to miss my chance!
Thanks
I've got a pair of call ducks with mummy sat on 7 eggs just now. At least 3 are fertile as she payed 2 different nests over a week and I combined them.
I read that call ducks are a 26 day hatching time so I've left mummy to it but I don't want her to hatch all 7 in the nest. The reason being last time she had ducklings we lost half to them flattening them.
I reckon she is almost there as it's currently day 23, she is very loyal to sitting on the eggs and when I candled them they are all dark inside. No light passes a through them.
Every morning she leaves the nest for breakfast and that's the only time she is happy for me to check her nest. I'm wanting to remove them at the last moment so they can hatch naturally but won't all bond with mummy.
How close to day 26 do I have to be to do this? I dont have an incubator so they have to be fully developed. Will I hear them inside the egg the day before they appear?
My children are very excited for them but it was crushing to have 3 killed by the parents and explain it to a 2 year old... so this time we want to hand raise some so the children can learn.
Any help would be great as I'm getting very close to H-day and don't want to miss my chance!
Thanks
