Is there anything wrong with letting mama do the work?

[Funsizeracing]

I noticed a lot of people on here all use incubators and very carefully montior the hatching process. My sweet girl is sitting on at least 24 eggs. Should be hatching in the next week or so (not sure when she stopped). We had just planned on letting her do the work and hatch however many came out. How many out of 24 normally hatch on their own? This is our first time hatching.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I noticed a lot of people on here all use incubators and very carefully montior the hatching process. My sweet girl is sitting on at least 24 eggs. Should be hatching in the next week or so (not sure when she stopped). We had just planned on letting her do the work and hatch however many came out. How many out of 24 normally hatch on their own? This is our first time hatching.

Hard to say, but hope you get a great hatch, I have a mama sitting on 7 right now she is due to hatch on the 22nd... I have never owned a bator. Be sure to let us know how it comes out/with Pics of course.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm leaving my hen 'to do the job' she's sitting on at least 10 eggs at last time i had a peek. This is her second go round, sadly the first go she was sharing and it only resulted in two ducklings which didn't make it.

 

[Marty1876]

Your eggs are far better off with a live trustworthy setter than an incubator, hands down. If she laid the eggs, or they are from your stock, and fertilized, odds are excellent for 80-90% hatch rate. If they were shpped and slipped (under her), odds are less becasue shipping is hard on eggs. (and people)

I use incubators becasue I buy shipped eggs, and they need it, and becasue my laying ducks are generally poor setters, and I don't have any hens (only pullets and hopefully some silkies after they hatch).

 

[Funsizeracing]

80-90% Goodness! I don't want to count before they hatch but we were only planning on keeping 5 or so to put on the one acre pond in the back yard. Guess I had better start finding them homes.

 

[Marty1876]

Wait and see, then adopt or sell the extras. It sounds like a lot of eggs, but some big girls and handle the job. Ducks can cover more eggs then hens (chicken hens, to be clear), so if she sat well, and covers them well, I think you'll be pleased.

You might want to seperate the babies, and rasie them, unless she is in a very secure place. Cats and foxes and other creatures love the taste of baby duckling. You might want to keep her from swimming with them until they are a wekk or two old. I would. Of course, when I get to use a sitting hen, its not an issue.