Old fashioned Broody thread for ducks 2013 edition

[Going Quackers]

Cute babies!!! I didn't even notice the yellow one looking at the pic at first. Yay variety.

So cute and it is very hard to see that lil yellow one. Congrats on the hatch and the move ya!!!

True, it is BUT older daughter just got some better pics.. here we go! oh and no action from the rocker egg.. wonder what is wrong?

anyways, pics!

Now you see the yellow one, apparently, it has some colour on the tail.

 

[Miss Lydia]

True, it is BUT older daughter just got some better pics.. here we go! oh and no action from the rocker egg.. wonder what is wrong?

anyways, pics!

Now you see the yellow one, apparently, it has some colour on the tail.

GQ have you picked the egg up to see if any progress is being made? you could try helping if you candle and see it's pipped the membrane or if it's started pipping through shell. Or you can let nature take it;s due course. can listen to hear any peeping too.

 

[Going Quackers]

GQ have you picked the egg up to see if any progress is being made? you could try helping if you candle and see it's pipped the membrane or if it's started pipping through shell. Or you can let nature take it;s due course. can listen to hear any peeping too.

You know i have not, should i bring it in the house to see properly? were trying not to freak dusty out as you know she was not real fond of this new home... i am worried, it was vibrating this morning when, DH, DS & I moved it?

 

[jdywntr]

Tough call. It could just be resting in there. I'd check it and see if it's pipped. If so, leave it. If not, tough call.

I hate those decisions. You can listen to it and lightly tap it to see if you hear any movement. It just might be a little slower.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Last Fall, the 1st egg that started was really slow... I wish that I still had the pics. I did end up bringing it inside, But I didn't know what I was doing, so I opted to let nature take its course and that duckling died in the shell. And i do feel that me disturbing it during hatch may have very well been a factor too. What I remember was while it was in my hand, I could see the egg tooth (*i guess*) and the shell was rocking in the palm of my hand... I think what I remember feeling was the duckling's movements as it was trying to rotate around to "unzip" . I put it back and returned 8-12hrs later... No real progress, someabove meant but no sounds. Then it was lost, took 2-3 days to find it. I don't know why but it just couldn't get out, and when I finally found it a few days later, I inspected it and there was a lot of unabsorbed yolk as well as bleeding blood vessel spots around the egg. I have read with chicks people do help hatch but I have a feeling that if something isn't happening, there might be a reason why. But I personally wouldn't want to just let it die in the shell.

Thank you guys for the Baby Pics-- so cute!

Edited to add if you are going to help, then do it. But if not probly best to leave alone. My $0.02

 

[4hkidsnchicks]

This is our first time! Our first set of ducks, first set of eggs we are letting her sit on...We have a pair of East Indie's. Any advice for a newcomer? Do we need anything special, do anything for them? They have a small enclosure with straw bedding which she has made into a nest, and they have a pool...food/water too. She leaves the nest to get drinks and food then returns to it. Sometimes when she leaves she covers the top of the eggs with a little straw and other times not. Its only been a few days. We still have the drake in there with her, he just goes about his business but when she's on her nest he sort of keeps guard, sitting at the opposite side of the enclosure. I suppose what we are asking is what can we do to ensure they hatch? and we have found different info on whether or not to keep the drake with her? Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is our first time! Our first set of ducks, first set of eggs we are letting her sit on...We have a pair of East Indie's. Any advice for a newcomer? Do we need anything special, do anything for them? They have a small enclosure with straw bedding which she has made into a nest, and they have a pool...food/water too. She leaves the nest to get drinks and food then returns to it. Sometimes when she leaves she covers the top of the eggs with a little straw and other times not. Its only been a few days. We still have the drake in there with her, he just goes about his business but when she's on her nest he sort of keeps guard, sitting at the opposite side of the enclosure. I suppose what we are asking is what can we do to ensure they hatch? and we have found different info on whether or not to keep the drake with her? Thanks!

Best thing to do is just what you have done, make sure she has a safe dry enclosure to sit and when ducklings hatch instinct will take over and she'll make sure they are able to find food and water, and she'll keep them warm. I would take the pool out though because if the ducklings can't get out of the pool on their own they can chill and drown. As far the drake they can all be different, some are easy going some have been known to kill ducklings, that will have to be your decision. You could give him a place close by where he can still see his mate and babies but can't get to them for 3-4 weeks. or until you feel it is safe to let them all be together,I wouldn't remeove him till hatch though. hopefully where you live will be warm by the time ducklings come and no additional heat will be needed, some of the ladies hatching this time of year are still having frigid weather and are using additional heat. Best thing said to me once was these ducks/chickens have been brooding and hatching alot longer than we have. and can do it alot better. Good luck. and of course you'll have to post pics when they hatch!

 

[bellah1]

Quackers, congratulations on your lil cuties! That yellow one is too adorable, I can't wait for mine!!

 

[4hkidsnchicks]

Thanks for the advice!! Appreciate it! Now we wait....one more question - - do you all candle like I've read people that use incubators candle or do you just wait it out and see? Thanks! I heard that if you are going to it should be at 10 days for ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the advice!! Appreciate it! Now we wait....one more question - - do you all candle like I've read people that use incubators candle or do you just wait it out and see? Thanks! I heard that if you are going to it should be at 10 days for ducks?

I usually don't candle till after hatch when eggs are left. just to make sure they are going to or not going to hatch. it's really hard to see into ducks eggs. for me anyway.