Momma ducks hatching their own eggs

MommaMc

In the Brooder
Jul 28, 2015
12
0
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I have been letting 2 of my ducks sit on their eggs.....One doesn't seem to have the hang of it and she is down to 5 eggs still in the nest. I candled them a week ago and it doesn't look promising.

The other one has been sitting constantly and when I candled them a week ago they definately looked as though something was happening.....this is my first time trying any of this.....so not an experienced eye but they looked totally different than the fresh eggs and the other ducks eggs.

The other day the duck that has been dedicated, pushed one egg out and it was broke.
This morning there was another pushed out and broke only this one was a grayish green kinda color...didn't smell tooooo bad lol.
Do you think it ever was an incubating egg or was it just rotten...she is down to 5 eggs now, and sitting constantly...should I just leave her for another week and see what happens?

I didn't mark on the callander when she started setting because she wasn't on them very regular at first ...but she has been dedicated for about 3 weeks now.

Also...when we are past the point of anything hatching...do I destroy their nests?
Then what happens?
Do they moult then start laying again??

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and knowledge

MommaMc
 
Give the eggs at least another week if you are not positive about the 'start' date. Before tossing them, you might try the 'float test' (do an on site search). If the eggs are not viable, remove them and disrupt the nest sites. They may complain and become quite vocal for a few days. They may very well molt and take a few months off from laying. First year hens sometimes are not reliable at brooding (some never are) but may do better next season. Good luck.
 
Ok, I did the float test on both nests.
The one was as I suspected and all sunk immediately to the bottom. I disposed of those eggs and took apart the nest.
The other nestr has only one floating egg (not high like a bobber without weight) 3 are sinkers :(

Am I best to leave all the eggs in the nest so she stays on it or should I remove the duds and leave just the single egg in the nest?
 

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