Help! Naturally hatching eggs and all are dying!

[Weeg]

About 2 months ago, (I know it’s a long time, that’s why I’m asking) one of our mallard ducks started to sitting on about 25-30 eggs. After about two weeks, the other mallard, one white crested, and our Buff joined them in the same nest. We waited the 28 days and nothing hatched. We assumed we were off a week because Pinecone, our mallard, had yo get her clutch. We waited, and still nothing. We candles some of the eggs that rolled out of the nest, not knowing if it was by accident, since by now there were about 40-50 eggs, or if they were dead. We would never take the eggs, but put them back in the coop. Sometimes mom would take them back, sometimes not. We were also finding cracked and broken eggs in the coop, and assumed the mommas were just clumsy. But now 2 months later, we are down to 2 ducks sitting, and 4 eggs! Some we found cracked, with half formed ducklings inside, and some were just dead. The only thing I could think of for the dead eggs, is that we didn’t have water for them to bathe in in there coop at night for humidity, but we immediately noticed our mistake, and put a bath in there for night time. The mommas still sat, and the eggs continued to lose weight, from development, and the mommas were aggressive. We also found whole dead babies outside the coop, witch we assumed died in the shell and the mommas tossed. Why did half the eggs crack? there separated from the other ducks, why were they dying in the shell fully formed? Why is it taking so long, with no result with signs of progression from the eggs? It’s kinda crazy, but I couldn’t find any answers for natural hatching. Thanks so much,
Weeg’s daughter Avery.

 

[CindyinSD]

The mamas each need their own nest. If two are sitting on the same nest they will get excited, trample eggs, roll eggs out... it will be a mess. Toss a couple of fake eggs a little way away from the first nest to encourage the next duck to set at least a few yards away. When a duck starts sitting in earnest--when she sits and does not get up except for a quick break, mark her eggs with the date she started sitting. Check the eggs every few days and remove any new ones. (They will not hatch at the same time, which is sure to cause troubles.) Do this for all the ducks that choose to brood eggs. None of them should be sharing a nest.

I know some folks allow their ducks to share a nest, but you have seen that this strategy (while it can work with certain individuals) doesn't turn out well for your ducks.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you so much! I have been doing soooo much research on why they are dying and nothing is coming up. We were so confused because our buff hatched 3 duckling a few years ago by herself and we could figure out what we did differently. Anyway, I should have asked sooner, because I'm pretty sure none of the eggs made it because the mommas seem to be giving up. But is sharing the nest the same reason why we found so many uncracked, but still dead eggs? Is it a heat thing? Thanks again!
Weeg daughter, Avery

 

[CindyinSD]

My geese were going back and forth, on and off... not doing a good job. Maybe they were careless, each expecting the others to do the job? Sometimes three would be sitting; other times, none.

I hatched out around 80% of their eggs in the incubator, but of the eggs I took from them when I gave them my hatchlings, it was a less than 50% hatch. Of the three eggs they actually hatched out in the nest, only one survived their trampling feet. They simply don't do well on communal nests. No doubt there are exceptions, but in nature each duck will have her own secluded nest. I think that the better you can replicate that, the more successful your prospective mamas will be.

 

[Weeg]

Alright, thank you. Next time I have a broody hen or duck, I will keep the rest of the flock away from her as to make sure no one joins her on the nest! I do have 5 eggs left that the mommas are still sitting on, should I let them give up or should take one momma off the nest. Do you think they will still survive if I just let one momma sit?

 

[CindyinSD]

Alright, thank you. Next time I have a broody hen or duck, I will keep the rest of the flock away from her as to make sure no one joins her on the nest! I do have 5 eggs left that the mommas are still sitting on, should I let them give up or should take one momma off the nest. Do you think they will still survive if I just let one momma sit?

It's hard to say. If you could portion off a small section of your coop for a broody chamber and put what you see as your most dedicated duck in there, that might work. At that point you could take the eggs and incubate them inside and give your duck some fakes--then switch the ducklings for the fake eggs at night, once you have them all fluffy. Or maybe early, early in the dark morning so you can keep an eye on them through the day to make sure she's accepting them.

Or you could take the chance and give her the real eggs. I would candle them though, if you're giving them to her. You could do the move in the evening, dark enough for you to at least get an idea of where the eggs are. If they're way apart from one another, it would be better to give her any that look to be at the same stage of development and either incubate the rest or discard them. I always think tossing them after all their effort is somehow not fair, so personally I would incubate them.

 

[Weeg]

I have been keeping an eye on them and they are SUPER light. I know that they lose weight when they are ready to hatch. Plus my brother accidentally cracked a possibly living egg the other day and it had a fully developed duck inside. I shut my less dedicated momma out of the nesting area and she freaked, but has settled down now. Should I let her back in with some fakes, or leave her out with the rest of the flock? Thanks soooooo, much
Avery

 

[Weeg]

I would incubate them, but i don't have an incubator. I do have a friend that has one that I was gonna incubate some eggs in if this whole thing didn't work.

 

[CindyinSD]

I hav been keeping an eye on them and they are SUPER light. I know that they lose weight when they are ready to hatch. Plus my brother accidentally cracked a possibly living egg the other day and it had a fully developed duck inside. I shut my less dedicated momma out of the nesting are and she freaked but has settled down now. Should I let her back in with some fakes, or leave her out with the rest of the flock? Thanks soooooo, much
Avery

If she's settled down, I guess I'd leave her be. If she continues to behave like a broody, you could break her or give her a nest area and some fertile eggs (if you have some). You could give her some of the developing eggs that aren't in the same development window as those in the other girl's nest. At this point you just kind of have to play it by ear and do the best you can for them.

 

[Weeg]

Alright, I will do that. Thank you so much and I hope I have a good result.