My firsts "ut oh" and "how pretty"

[SimplcitiyAltered]

I have never had any luck with my ducks sitting on their eggs (problem with egg stealing critters) usually I just toss them into the incubator my freind on the other hand has gotten hers (formerly my) ducks to sit with great success she is now waiting on her 3rd clutch the last one out of the 16 eggs 15 hatched great hatch rate. Try letting her set them, if she is laying in the same place as your chickens I would think about giving her, her own special spot where she wont be disturbed.

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

I have never had any luck with my ducks sitting on their eggs (problem with egg stealing critters) usually I just toss them into the incubator my freind on the other hand has gotten hers (formerly my) ducks to sit with great success she is now waiting on her 3rd clutch the last one out of the 16 eggs 15 hatched great hatch rate. Try letting her set them, if she is laying in the same place as your chickens I would think about giving her, her own special spot where she wont be disturbed.

Okay, couple more questions for you or anyone else want to jump in here. First, I have 3 females, don't know which one it is, have a sneaky suspicion but thats it. She is laying them earlyyyy in the morning. Second, the two that I have already taken, can I put them back out there? One has been in the fridge over night the other has only been in for about 30 minutes. Third, Ummm are they going to be fertile? We have yet to see our ducks doing anything at all! Forth, they are in Coop/run over night, but have their separate little area where the chickens do not bother them (She is laying them in a dresser drawer that I put on the ground under the nesting boxes) But I can still, if need be, figure something out for her. Fifth,

 

[bantymum]

Hi Windy, sorry ive been asleep, its only 8am here now!
Definately looks like duck eggs.
She may not sit on them if its coming into winter there, however she will still lay.
If she does start sitting, you will have a 28 day wait, wait until she starts to sit, then build her a run away from the other chooks.
She will probably attack anything/anyone that comes near her young. The drake will need to be separate too away from her.
keep us posted.
good luck, sorry i wasnt here earlier,

 

[Fancy Feather Poultry]

What age do ducks usually start laying. My qestion mark buttin isnt working. neither is my exclamation mark, my shift key must be messed up .

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

I don't know *usually*, but my Pekin (an Easter duckling) just laid her 1st egg this morning.

Lisa

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

Bantymum - no worries, no sorries, after typing and remembering you were in Australia, I looked and DH and said, well, she is in bed now, I am sure she will answer tonight when she gets up LOL.
I was wondering the same thing since we are going into the winter months. I set out and warmed up the egg from yesterday, and took todays egg and put them both back outside in the nest (I wonder if she will except them back). Just to see if we can catch whoever it is.
They are only 19 weeks... is this normal for them to be laying so early???????? I thought they where not going to lay til spring. Im so confused. I read one thing... and then they do just the oppisit... confusing birds (Im including chickens and turkeys in this as well)!!! LOL... should I start looking for turkey eggs too LOL.
Okay 28 days from when???? She is not setting on them in the daytime (well i took them too). How many do they usually have to have in a "clutch" before they set.
Thank you for the information on attacking... dont need her attacking my chickens or kids!!!
Thanks again... and no sorries.... I do appreciate the help!!!

Dipsy - how old is the one that just started laying???

silke- my ducks just turned 19 weeks and if I am correct on my thinking (by looking at calender) dipsy's are about 25+ weeks.

 

[FrankBlissett]

I'm with Banty on the second egg - definitely a duck egg. If the cuticle on the first one feels the same that's a duck egg too.

-Frank

edit: It's 28 days from the start of incubation. Ducks are notorious for getting BIG clutches (12-18) ready before going broody.

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

definitely a duck egg. If the cuticle on the first one feels the same that's a duck egg too.

Ummm cuticle??? is that the stuff I washed off???? Call me an idiot!!! I just have not been doing alot on ducks until recently

 

[FrankBlissett]

The shell goes on bottom, then a cuticle (think of is as egg-shellac). On top of this goes the bloom. Likely you washed off the bloom. That or some duck poo.

-Frank

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

okay... well thank you for clarifying that. in the second pic that I posted... what is that stuff on the shell... the greyish blackish coloring stuff then???? the bloom, duck doo doo, or cuticle???
And I did not say before,,, but yes, both are the same size and looked exactly alike before washing..... did I do the right thing when I put oil on them??? I thought since you do for chickens, I had to for ducks.... Thanks