Old Fashion Broody Duck Thread 2015 Edition

[suzy4027]

I've tried to find my answer by searching threads, but only saw one answer. Thought I double check....
My neighbor's scovie had been sitting eggs for what seems like for.ever! She had 2 hatch last night and oh. My. GOSH!!! Eeeep!!

ANYHOO. She took them out for a stroll today. Had to peel myself away! There are several more eggs in the nest. I've read that differing lay dates means differing hatch dates. Should they be within a certain number of days before you give up on them? I saw an answer that said wait 48hrs and candle the left over eggs. Then I saw where dead eggs will reveal themselves immediately. Ain't THAT the truth! It's smells gross where she's nested, but not dead duckling/rotten egg bad. She's been under the porch for so long, shouldn't it be a bit smelly? I've seen her out ONCE. She's got them well hidden and not being my ducks, I'm not gonna volunteer to climb under there anytime soon!

the neighbors are very knowledgeable and have recently incubated some chicks. I'm sure they have it under control, I'm just wondering for 1-my own knowledge, but REALLY 2-I want to take a couple of females for myself.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've tried to find my answer by searching threads, but only saw one answer. Thought I double check....
My neighbor's scovie had been sitting eggs for what seems like for.ever! She had 2 hatch last night and oh. My. GOSH!!! Eeeep!!

ANYHOO. She took them out for a stroll today. Had to peel myself away! There are several more eggs in the nest. I've read that differing lay dates means differing hatch dates. Should they be within a certain number of days before you give up on them? I saw an answer that said wait 48hrs and candle the left over eggs. Then I saw where dead eggs will reveal themselves immediately. Ain't THAT the truth! It's smells gross where she's nested, but not dead duckling/rotten egg bad. She's been under the porch for so long, shouldn't it be a bit smelly? I've seen her out ONCE. She's got them well hidden and not being my ducks, I'm not gonna volunteer to climb under there anytime soon!

the neighbors are very knowledgeable and have recently incubated some chicks. I'm sure they have it under control, I'm just wondering for 1-my own knowledge, but REALLY 2-I want to take a couple of females for myself.

Maybe they will give you a few girls.

when my ducks brood usually 3 days after hatch they will bring ducklings out and I go in and candle and toss any remaining, I have never in the 11 yrs I have had ducks had any one leave a duckling that was ready to hatch in the nest.
She may not even take the ducklings back to the nest. All are different though to their approach to mother hood. .

 

[suzy4027]

This is her first time broody. I guess we'll have to sit and wait. She took the 2 back under the deck, but just next to the nest. I've been cleaning house so I haven't poked my head back next door. I'm certainly not as knowledgeable as my neighbors, so I'll just chill. Lol. SO. HARD!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is her first time broody. I guess we'll have to sit and wait. She took the 2 back under the deck, but just next to the nest. I've been cleaning house so I haven't poked my head back next door. I'm certainly not as knowledgeable as my neighbors, so I'll just chill. Lol. SO. HARD!

They don't even lock their mama and ducklings up to protect them? That would really be hard for me.

 

[suzy4027]

And you know how I am! I had how many sleepless nights with nightmares of chicken wire mocking me? Lol. I know, I know. She did fine but I wouldn't have slept a wink. I guess I just love them enough that it's a "meh" to me. I recall the duck had tried to lay eggs in several diff places and when they were moved for safer keeping, she would abandon them. We were out frantically searching the neighborhood one day because we thought she had found a way out. She was under a bush, laying eggs like a ninja! They were a hot minute too late on clipping her wings so she took it upon herself to leave the fenced in backyard in favor of the front yard. She then proceeded to lay an egg in an old mailbox that was about to be used as a planter. (Cutest yard you've ever seen!) Momma didn't help them out much in where she chose to make her nest. She got under the lattice porch, way out of reach and hissed like a snake. She was up against the house so they put everything she needed in there and made a gate. She was safe from raccoons, possums, and the like, but no, not snakes. My DH would've put his foot down about the time I grabbed a hammer to rip the lattice off. Ours would be under there too if she'd pulled all those hi-jinx.

Not my choice, but I do understand. They are good, consciencious pet owners. The whole thing has made for their own sleepless nights. Trust me. I'll send pics when I get some.

 

[jzervas92]

Hello everyone! My Ancona duck decided she wanted to go broody! We're on day 10 right now, and everything seems to be going well. I'm new to this so I'm not really sure what to do with a broody duck. Is there anything I need to be looking for? How often should I candle the eggs? When the eggs hatch is there anything I need to be prepared for? How am I supposed to feed the ducklings when they hatch, I want the mother to raise them. Can I just put everyone on chick feed? Will I be able to hold the ducklings, I want them to be friendly and not afraid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hello everyone! My Ancona duck decided she wanted to go broody! We're on day 10 right now, and everything seems to be going well. I'm new to this so I'm not really sure what to do with a broody duck. Is there anything I need to be looking for? How often should I candle the eggs? When the eggs hatch is there anything I need to be prepared for? How am I supposed to feed the ducklings when they hatch, I want the mother to raise them. Can I just put everyone on chick feed? Will I be able to hold the ducklings, I want them to be friendly and not afraid. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You can candle starting around day 7-10 then I usually candle weekly after that till about 3 days before hatch. Mama should take care of everything except food and water that will be your job, chick starter or all flock will be fine for all to eat, and make sure your waterers what ever you use the ducklings can't accidentally fall into and drown I set buckets up where only mama can reach and give ducklings a cool whip container with a hole cut out of the top so they can stick their head in but can't climb into it with a rock down inside to keep it from getting knocked over. Then when they are around a week old they get a cat litter pan with a rock inside an out so they can get in and out safely to play in water. As far as holding the ducklings most mamas don't like any one getting near their babies so unless you take them from her and brood them yourself I don't think you'll get to hold them unless you have a really passive mama duck. If you have a drake you may want to keep mama and babies separated from him till ducklings are 2-4 weeks old drakes can be unpredictable around ducklings and have been known to injure and kill their offspring. Mamas really don't do much to protect from the drake either. So a temporary enclousure so everyone can see each other works best.

Please keep us updated on candling and when it gets close to hatch day. All the best.

 

[jzervas92]

Thank you for the advice Miss Lydia! I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to hold them, but that's ok! I was thinking I was gonna need to separate them. I've been keeping my eye on him and he doesn't seem to mess with her, I think he likes the little pond to himself! In the picture I counted 13 eggs, but I could of sworn there was 18. I haven't seen her kick any eggs out yet, and I was curious to see if I can use a small shoe bin(the ones that slide under the beds) with a ramp in/out of it as a pool. She started sitting on June 11th so I'm guessing hatch date will be July 8th. I'll definitely keep you guys updated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for the advice Miss Lydia! I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to hold them, but that's ok! I was thinking I was gonna need to separate them. I've been keeping my eye on him and he doesn't seem to mess with her, I think he likes the little pond to himself! In the picture I counted 13 eggs, but I could of sworn there was 18. I haven't seen her kick any eggs out yet, and I was curious to see if I can use a small shoe bin(the ones that slide under the beds) with a ramp in/out of it as a pool. She started sitting on June 11th so I'm guessing hatch date will be July 8th. I'll definitely keep you guys updated!

That would work perfectly for first swim time.

I do want to say that even some mamas who are wonderful brooders can injure or kill their ducklings as well. So keep an eye on mama for first few days especially when hatching starts that she doesn't freak out. especially with first time mamas.

 

[jzervas92]

Ok great I'll probably use the bin I have a feeling there's gonna be a lot of babies! I didn't think about watching her either, I will definitely keep my eye on her. Thanks again, I'm so excited!