How to encourage ducks to have babies?

[Phisch]

Thanks, MissLydia! I’ll keep an eye on the hens’ feathers. Everyone, save for the one growing feathers after a molt, look lovely.

Is is it sufficient to let them have twoeggs or should it be more? We are in Central Texas so the weather is getting warmer (though we are not past lady frost date until March.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you want to leave 2 and maybe add a few fake? you can find them at craft stores and also order on line. That way they would think they have more in the nest and you won't be wasting. Just if you notice one spending more time on the nest the ones you collect store on the counter in a carton with pointy end down so you can add viable eggs to her nest when she starts to sit. Eggs start losing fertility after around 10days.

 

[Phisch]

If you want to leave 2 and maybe add a few fake? you can find them at craft stores and also order on line. That way they would think they have more in the nest and you won't be wasting. Just if you notice one spending more time on the nest the ones you collect store on the counter in a carton with pointy end down so you can add viable eggs to her nest when she starts to sit. Eggs start losing fertility after around 10days.

I can return them to her? I had no idea! I figured if they lose heat for too many hours, they are pretty much goners.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nope they haven't even begun to incubate until she begins sitting. I'd try and keep them 8 days or less only because the more fertility the better the hatch. No if you get a broody and she gives up sitting then you have a problem either you finish in a bator or you'll lose them.

 

[NatJ]

I can return them to her? I had no idea! I figured if they lose heat for too many hours, they are pretty much goners.

Keep them out of the fridge. I think around 50-70 degrees (fahrenheit) is usually good. They don't start to develop until a broody starts to sit on them, or until they go in an incubator. After a day or two of being incubated, THEN they die if they're cold for too long. But they have a natural ability to store for a while, so the duck can collect a whole nestful and then incubate them, and they'll all hatch at once.

 

[Phisch]

That's very cool! Great to know that. Very different from chicken eggs, I think.

 

[NatJ]

Chicken eggs can be stored for a week or more before incubating--I was actually telling what I know of chicken eggs, and assuming it applies to ducks too

There are some stories of people who took eggs out of the fridge (home-raised or even store-bought) and incubated them, and they hatched--but it is not the best way to do things.