Hatching Ducklings

[AShelDuck1]

How do I know when to leave eggs to be hatched naturally?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you mean by a broody duck? Do you have a duck acting like she wants to brood?

 

[AShelDuck1]

Do you mean by a broody duck? Do you have a duck acting like she wants to brood?

Yeah. Like I go and get the eggs to eat but when do I know if she's broody and going to hatch them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a Muscovy who is broody she doesn't want to leave the nest and any eggs that are laid close by her she rolls into her nest. She will also act all puffy and mad when she does come outside and will even chase any of the ducks and chickens that get too close. She is sitting on fake eggs right now because I can't take the chance of another drake I have 4 so I ordered ducklings to come next week. I am hoping she will accept and raise as her own.
If you want her to brood don't take her eggs and watch and see if she makes her nest a begins sitting on the eggs. she will also pull down out of her chest area and line her nest with them.
What breed is she? Some breeds could care less about hatching and others will sit any chance they get.

 

[AShelDuck1]

The brown breed. Lol not the brown with the black and blue but the light tan one

 

[DukesDucks]

Maybe post a picture so we can help determine what breed she is. How many ducks do you have, and how many are males and females?

 

[AShelDuck1]

Here's one of the momma ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

Shes gorgeous but I am not sure what breed she is. Did you get her from a hatchery? she looks like she could have saxony in her by the eye stripes.

 

[AShelDuck1]

We got her from someone local that had ducks breeding in their backyard.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Many breeds have had the broodiness bred out of them, but it isn't always the case, I have Muscovy and Runners and Buffs. My Muscovy are my broodies. My Runners and Buffs have never gone broody but other people have had theirs go broody so it really is up to the individual duck.
Hopefully if you give your females a chance you'll have a broody also and they will hatch some ducklings for you. But know that come with drakes so if you don't want drakes or too many drakes you need a plan to know what you'll do, it's very hard to rehome drakes. And of course that too comes with location it seems not many folks in my area have ducks.