Is this normal?!...

[terrajoy]

Hi!

First time broody Runner laid 17 eggs around 32 days ago (?).
She booted 2 bad ones about a week ago.
On Saturday night 2 hatched.
On Sunday night 1 hatched.
Nothing on Monday.
Today one more is starting to hatch.

Plenty of eggs left. None have exploded.

What are the chances they will hatch?

Does this process usually take this long?

Thanks!

PS- She is being a wonderful new mother to her three little ones! Pictured below are the first two.

 

[Amiga]

From what I read here, yes, it can take a bit of time.

Congratulations!

 

[Going Quackers]

so cute! yes, it can take some time, if your concerned can you candle?

 

[terrajoy]

she gets super upset every time I get close, and she has not left the nest (that i have noticed at least) since the first two hatched....

Should I leave her alone or shoo her off and candle?

 

[Amiga]

I am not a hatcher, but my inclination would be to give a sniff test as close as she'll let you get, and if nothing smells ugly, I would let it go another day or two.

 

[terrajoy]

thanks for the reply, however, due to the two rotten eggs geting the boot the place all ready has a bit of an off sent...

And does anyone know where the egg shells go when they hatch? does she do something with them?

 

[terrajoy]

scent

 

[Amiga]

So much for that idea . . . .

Did I read that the mother ducks eat the shells, maybe?