Old fashioned Broody thread for ducks 2013 edition

[Heidisgran]

added 2 Khaki Campbell babies to our flock yesterday, 1 day old! our week old chicks and them are all snuggled up together...sooo fine

 

[Miss Lydia]

added 2 Khaki Campbell babies to our flock yesterday, 1 day old! our week old chicks and them are all snuggled up together...sooo fine

Yay Congrats!!! pic when you can.

 

[Heidisgran]

this is one of the 2 granddaughter named them Cheese and Quackers

 

[Miss Lydia]

this is one of the 2 granddaughter named them Cheese and Quackers

very pretty, good names too.

 

[quirkybeeper]

Watch out, she's back!!

My duck has been a very busy, busy girl! She started laying again a couple weeks ago, and I was so happy!! Then a couple days ago, we noticed our drake on his perch (the top of the ramp that goes into their pool), and discovered that Miss Daisy is sitting again!!

I just went out to take them food and fresh water and while she was off the nest, I snuck in and candled a few. She's sitting on a nest of 18 (!!!). I candled about 6, 3 are definitely fertile!!! One was huge, I'm not convinced an ostrich didn't sneak in lol, but the shell seemed to be cracked at the small end, and there was a dark bit on the inside, so I don't know, I guess that one may be bad, I'll let mama decide. And the 3...wow!! I knew to look for veins, but the little thing (soon to be heart?) was wiggling around! I'm in awe right now, and so happy!!

Ok, question time. Last time I checked, she had kinda 2 separate nests in her nest box, about half the eggs in the back and half toward the front (I think this was before she started sitting). She has since combined them into one nest. Is there a possibility that they could be growing at different rates? I candled a few that had veins, then there were 2 or 3 that just had yolks, no veins, but the yolks didn't look as big as the others either. I couldn't get to all the eggs to candle because it's raining and the nest box is really close to their pool, and...I have balance issues lol

Anyway...YAY!!! Hopefully this time I'll get some ducklings!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Watch out, she's back!!

My duck has been a very busy, busy girl! She started laying again a couple weeks ago, and I was so happy!! Then a couple days ago, we noticed our drake on his perch (the top of the ramp that goes into their pool), and discovered that Miss Daisy is sitting again!!

I just went out to take them food and fresh water and while she was off the nest, I snuck in and candled a few. She's sitting on a nest of 18 (!!!). I candled about 6, 3 are definitely fertile!!! One was huge, I'm not convinced an ostrich didn't sneak in lol, but the shell seemed to be cracked at the small end, and there was a dark bit on the inside, so I don't know, I guess that one may be bad, I'll let mama decide. And the 3...wow!! I knew to look for veins, but the little thing (soon to be heart?) was wiggling around! I'm in awe right now, and so happy!!

Ok, question time. Last time I checked, she had kinda 2 separate nests in her nest box, about half the eggs in the back and half toward the front (I think this was before she started sitting). She has since combined them into one nest. Is there a possibility that they could be growing at different rates? I candled a few that had veins, then there were 2 or 3 that just had yolks, no veins, but the yolks didn't look as big as the others either. I couldn't get to all the eggs to candle because it's raining and the nest box is really close to their pool, and...I have balance issues lol

Anyway...YAY!!! Hopefully this time I'll get some ducklings!!

Congrats!!! Usually they don't start developing until mama begins to sit full time so most of the eggs should be developing at the same rate, hatch can be a bit staggered at over a couple of days. but usually by the 3rd day if no other eggs have hatched she'll get up and leave to care for her ducklings that have hatched. It could be with having 18 eggs in the nest she isn't able to cover them adequately and that's why some haven't developed yet. Or they may never. the one that look to have a crack you need to mark with a sharpie so you can keep an eye on it, it maybe going bad and if it explodes will contaminate all the other eggs which won't be good. I'd candle again sometime next week and those that aren't developing remove so she is able to cover the ones that are better. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[EdenCamp]

Pencil or crayon better to mark the eggs.
Aren't some markers still toxic to the eggs?
Dunno if the ones marked "non-toxic" are even safe for eggs - anyone know for sure?

 

[EdenCamp]

Pencil or crayon better to mark the eggs.
Aren't some markers still toxic to the eggs?
Dunno if the ones marked "non-toxic" are even safe for eggs - anyone know for sure?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pencil or crayon better to mark the eggs.
Aren't some markers still toxic to the eggs?
Dunno if the ones marked "non-toxic" are even safe for eggs - anyone know for sure?

I use them all the time Eden and haven't ever had a problem. I tried crayon but with their wet humidify bellies the crayon doesn't last long.

 

[EdenCamp]

ahhh k. I'd rather use "non-toxic" markers - can actually SEE markings.
But somebody somewhere (you know - "they") say they can still be toxic.