My duck maybe a mother! Help please

[natenascar]

Hello all, I have two female white layers and a male. I noticed on June 19 that she was missing and I found her in the other side of the coop in the corner sitting on the eggs. She is about three years old and has never done this before. She gets up once a day to take a swim and eat and then back to the nest. I did candle one and I think it was good but not sure because it was day 22. I put it back so I didn't disturbed the nest anymore. So here I am on day 25 still waiting! My big questions are what do I need to do if they hatch. My coop is actually 2 coops with runs both about 12x12 but open now so they have more than enough room. Do I close one side to keep her and (possibly the young ones safe) or can they stay together. How can I tell time is close and they are hatching as I don't want to disturb her. Will she do everything her self.

Basically I have raised ducks for about five years but never had one try to be a mom. And I just want every thing to work out if they are alive in the eggs. I'm so excited!

Any help is appreciated thank you so much!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hello all, I have two female white layers and a male. I noticed on June 19 that she was missing and I found her in the other side of the coop in the corner sitting on the eggs. She is about three years old and has never done this before. She gets up once a day to take a swim and eat and then back to the nest. I did candle one and I think it was good but not sure because it was day 22. I put it back so I didn't disturbed the nest anymore. So here I am on day 25 still waiting! My big questions are what do I need to do if they hatch. My coop is actually 2 coops with runs both about 12x12 but open now so they have more than enough room. Do I close one side to keep her and (possibly the young ones safe) or can they stay together. How can I tell time is close and they are hatching as I don't want to disturb her. Will she do everything her self.

Basically I have raised ducks for about five years but never had one try to be a mom. And I just want every thing to work out if they are alive in the eggs. I'm so excited!

Any help is appreciated thank you so much!

Best idea is to have mom and babies in their own space, I do it for 3 weeks both sides gets to meet and greet with out any one getting hurt. Mom will take care of everything all you'll need to do is supply chick starter and plenty of fresh water but in a container ducklings can't crawl into and drown. First few days make sure mom is taking care of the ducklings most are excellent moms but there is always exceptions so best to monitor closely at first especially with first time moms. As far as hatching well it's usually 28-30 days til hatch so one day you'll look out and see tiny lil heads poking out through moms feathers. or you can get real brave on day 30 and peek under her. She may not like it but she'll get over it pretty quick. Lets us know when they hatch.

 

[natenascar]

Thank you! I will!

 

[natenascar]

They are starting to hatch today!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are starting to hatch today!!

 

[holm25]

They are starting to hatch today!!

Yay!! I know from lots of experience its hard not to look but dont do it!! congrats