Is duck nest OK...??

[ducks112233]

Do ducks know if there eggs are fertilized.

 

[buff goose guy]

Yeah because like humans they do go through menstral cycles in breeding season. So yeah I think they do know when an egg is fertilized since ther fertilization process takes time and the regular menstrel thingy takes not as long . Something along those lines at least

 

[irisshiller]

Thanks!! I feel better knowing that she kicked those 2 eggs out for a reason. As for the flooding, there isn't much I can do about it I suppose, I just have to wait and see what happens. I will probably leave her out by the pond for now and then see what happens when they hatch, if they don't seem to be safe I will move the whole family to a cage for a while.

That's interesting that they could be Welsh Harlequins (maybe mixed or not quite the right colour)! What I can see on Google, they do very much look like Welsh Harlequins. I was thinking they didn't really look like the wild mallards I am used to from Europe, but I wasn't sure what else they could be. Some more pictures of when they were still playing, not sitting on eggs






About the nest - well they completely did everything by themselves! We only got them about a month ago, and she immediately started laying eggs. I only found them after she had quite a collection - every day after she laid one, she covered them with straw. Yes there was nesting material lying around, straw from the nest boxes and the coops, it seems like she carried it from there to her chosen spot. When I discovered the nest I transferred them to the crate and she seemed to be fine continuing to lay in there and at some point she started brooding. She only goes off the nest for a few minutes each day, she frantically stuffs herself with food, washes herself and then goes back quickly! The male keeps watch. Lately, he is almost sitting inside the crate with her. I hope very much that many of the eggs will hatch and I will have a nice flock of Welsh Harlequins!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks!! I feel better knowing that she kicked those 2 eggs out for a reason. As for the flooding, there isn't much I can do about it I suppose, I just have to wait and see what happens. I will probably leave her out by the pond for now and then see what happens when they hatch, if they don't seem to be safe I will move the whole family to a cage for a while.

That's interesting that they could be Welsh Harlequins (maybe mixed or not quite the right colour)! What I can see on Google, they do very much look like Welsh Harlequins. I was thinking they didn't really look like the wild mallards I am used to from Europe, but I wasn't sure what else they could be. Some more pictures of when they were still playing, not sitting on eggs






About the nest - well they completely did everything by themselves! We only got them about a month ago, and she immediately started laying eggs. I only found them after she had quite a collection - every day after she laid one, she covered them with straw. Yes there was nesting material lying around, straw from the nest boxes and the coops, it seems like she carried it from there to her chosen spot. When I discovered the nest I transferred them to the crate and she seemed to be fine continuing to lay in there and at some point she started brooding. She only goes off the nest for a few minutes each day, she frantically stuffs herself with food, washes herself and then goes back quickly! The male keeps watch. Lately, he is almost sitting inside the crate with her. I hope very much that many of the eggs will hatch and I will have a nice flock of Welsh Harlequins!

Yes you will, and be sure to post back with lost of pics when they hatch we'll be waiting. main thing you have to watch out for is when the ducklings are first hatched they are vunerable because they don't always stay close to mama and can get left behind and not always other flock members are kind. so keep close tabs on those ducklings. beautiful place you have there for them.

 

[TLWR]

Yeah because like humans they do go through menstral cycles in breeding season. So yeah I think they do know when an egg is fertilized since ther fertilization process takes time and the regular menstrel thingy takes not as long . Something along those lines at least

Um, no, they do not have menstrual cycles.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And my girls[Muscovy] have no idea if they have a fertilized egg or not and I don't think they care because they will sit on a ceramic eggs too, their just in it for the brood time, they love to brood.

 

[goldenautumnsun]

@buff goose guy Hmm.... I still stand by my call. Welsh Harlequin females can get pretty dark buff on their bodies, especially in winter. I don't think they look too dark to be Harlequins.

@irisshiller Congrats on having such a smart hen!! I'm jealous, and I hope they hatch some nice babies for you! I've been pondering for a couple weeks how to best encourage my girls to get their act together and care about their eggs....

 

[buff goose guy]

Yeah because like humans they do go through menstral cycles in breeding season. So yeah I think they do know when an egg is fertilized since ther fertilization process takes time and the regular menstrel thingy takes not as long . Something along those lines at least

Um, no, they do not have menstrual cycles.

Well sorry then don't mean to upset you.

 

[irisshiller]

Well, it is now day 29 and I don't see any sign of life in the nest... I was on red alert all day yesterday, but nothing. The mummy duck did throw out another egg, but it was warm when I discovered it. I put it back and she didn't kick it out again, so I hope that was OK. She is sitting and sitting, and sometimes the male sits in there with her. I hear nothing in the nest, no cheeping or tapping, but I'm not sure if it would be possible to hear for me. I can get quite close, but if I try to stick my hand or my face in, she pecks me Quite right! I suppose I should just leave her alone!

How long could this take? Does the hatching process take several days? Could there be hatched ducklings under her that I just can't see? Dying of curiosity here!!

@goldenautumnsun - I hope you get a nest soon too! I'm sure they will figure it out!

 

[enriquec]

Can take days. Just got to wait