Mama Duck Attacked!!

[katharinad]

Did you check the other eggs for clacking sound or movement by holding them up to your ear? As I've said you don't always see the egg move, but you can feel and hear it when they are close.

BTW my setup was pretty much free. I used what I had around and it works just fine. I did line the crate with heavy clear plastic from the paint isle from the hardware store. This enables me to spray down the sides and wash it out. As you can see on my pick I had only two chicks. It was a bad hatch, because the eggs send to me were not that good. Was a bad seller, but I was happy that I had a pair. No lonely duck.

If you care I have a story online about a wild mallard duckling we caught 2 summers ago on our property. I grew up with ducks and chicks when I was a child, but this one got me started again. She left and is back in the wild, but it was a wonderful experience.

Katharina

 

[ChickenCrazed]

YEA!!!...I am been following along and it is so great that you have at least two hatching...You are now a Momma Duck and they will follow you everywhere!!

 

[MamacatPatch]

I checked the remaining eggs and heard noises from three of them! Wow, I may have a whole bunch of babies!

Still trying to set up the brooder. The bird cage wasn't warm enough and I have to find another light to hang over it anyhow. Am thinking maybe a big box or a big cooler. Talk about thinking on your feet! PHEW. I put him back in the incubator for now since he was shivering! Egg number two is coming along nicely!

I thought I posted a link to a vid I uploaded on youtube but now I can't find it here so here it is again:

 

[katharinad]

I think the cage is fine. Put cardboard around it to confine the warmth. Remember to only heat one end of it so the duck can move away when too warm. You can tell by looking at their behavior. So for now keep him in the incubator until you've got the temp right. I know it is a lot of playing around until you get it right. It's wonderful to hear that 3 more are making sound. This is turning out better then I've thought it will. They had so many things against them. The cooling off before you've put them into the make shift incubator. Even putting them into water, which cuts the oxygen off and cools them more down. The shells are porous and let air go in and out. Getting the temp right. Even the humidity. These are huge factors that can kill an egg.
Katharina

 

[katharinad]

You are as bad as I am. I keep on peeping to my ducks all the time.

Isn't it exciting to watch then hatch.
Katharina

 

[Jkioneil]

I am teary eyed right now! YOU DID IT! and you thought you couldn't!! this is remarkable. Congrats!!!!!! i am so excited to see how many you get!!!!!

 

[MamacatPatch]

I decided if I'm the mama duck I should be QUACKING not PEEPING!!! HAHAHA

More pix just in!!!!

Waiting patiently for my sibling to come out and play!

The new 'digs' a box inside a cage! The white bulb and big lamp was all I could find for now, but I'll get it set up so there's a 'cool' place and a 'hot' place. Found another thermometer too!

Gave him a fuzzy friend! He's had his first sip of water too!

Sorry they're so big, didn't take time to crop them or resize them. Too much in a hurry to get them here!

 

[katharinad]

How are the other eggs looking? You may need to mist them with water every 24 hours if they have not piped yet.
Ducky looks fine the the cage. Ideally you would put the cardboard outside of the cage, but you can do that as you go along.
Katharina

 

[MamacatPatch]

No pips from the others yet. I will give them a mist!

I like having them safe in a cage where the cat can't get them! I put a towel over the back end of the box so it's shaded from the heat. He's trying to sleep now. Been a busy day for both of us!!

Once they are older, they'll go into an outside duck/goose shed already built complete with lamp, kiddie pool, etc.

 

[kidcallous]

Duckie number 1's name should be "Ichiban". Japanese for #1.

So cute, as I was sitting here alone looking at the pictures, I actually said "AWWW" - yeah, out loud. By myself