Old fashioned Broody thread for ducks 2013 edition

[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.

 

[Miss Lydia]

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.

Went and looked at mine and they say washable markers so maybe that means safer. I only put a dot on them so that isn't much.
I have seen where others just use reg permanent markers though.

 

[quirkybeeper]

My boyfriend and I went out a few minutes ago to candle all the eggs and get a count. I believe I counted 15 when we left. The one I saw last night that looked cracked/bad was out in the pen, so I guess mama tossed it out sometime today. There was another one that looked pretty much black on the inside, so I tossed that one too. Of the others: I have 2 that are questionable, they may be bad, but I'm not totally sure, I'll probably check them again tomorrow night or the next night. 6 are definitely developing!! The rest may be unfertile, but they looked ok on the inside, not at risk of going bad any time soon, so I left them for now, and I'll check them again in a few days. I marked them so I know which ones are good, which ones are questionable, and which I'm going to give a few more days. So right now, 6 possible ducklings! I'm so happy!

 

[Miss Lydia]

My boyfriend and I went out a few minutes ago to candle all the eggs and get a count. I believe I counted 15 when we left. The one I saw last night that looked cracked/bad was out in the pen, so I guess mama tossed it out sometime today. There was another one that looked pretty much black on the inside, so I tossed that one too. Of the others: I have 2 that are questionable, they may be bad, but I'm not totally sure, I'll probably check them again tomorrow night or the next night. 6 are definitely developing!! The rest may be unfertile, but they looked ok on the inside, not at risk of going bad any time soon, so I left them for now, and I'll check them again in a few days. I marked them so I know which ones are good, which ones are questionable, and which I'm going to give a few more days. So right now, 6 possible ducklings! I'm so happy!

Great news!!! keep us updated..

 

[quirkybeeper]

Great news!!! keep us updated..

When should I start pulling out the clear ones? According to the candling pictures on Metzer's website, the others seem to be around day 8, but the clear ones all I see is whites and yolks, no veins or anything. And the dark ones I have a hard time seeing into at all, candling from the side or the end with the air sac. She's still sitting on a lot, and I want to give the good ones the best chance I possibly can. Oh and I did sniff the dark eggs (and the developing ones for comparison), and they didn't have a sulfur smell, and thank goodness they definitely didn't have that awful, awful smell from the last time!! Thanks for the help! ETA: I ask because one of the good ones was cool to the touch, or at least cooler than the others were, so I want to make sure she can cover them all.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When should I start pulling out the clear ones? According to the candling pictures on Metzer's website, the others seem to be around day 8, but the clear ones all I see is whites and yolks, no veins or anything. And the dark ones I have a hard time seeing into at all, candling from the side or the end with the air sac. She's still sitting on a lot, and I want to give the good ones the best chance I possibly can. Oh and I did sniff the dark eggs (and the developing ones for comparison), and they didn't have a sulfur smell, and thank goodness they definitely didn't have that awful, awful smell from the last time!! Thanks for the help!

ETA: I ask because one of the good ones was cool to the touch, or at least cooler than the others were, so I want to make sure she can cover them all.

If it is past day 10 I'd go ahead and take out the clear ones and keep watching the dark ones. and smelling them.

 

[keirys]

Fertile or not??






Mama is laying again

.. I didn't realize that she would lay this soon. Our last batch f eggs were all duds if (I havent made up my mind yet) I let her keep them I wanna be sure she doesnt sit on all duds again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Fertile or not??






Mama is laying again

.. I didn't realize that she would lay this soon. Our last batch f eggs were all duds if (I havent made up my mind yet) I let her keep them I wanna be sure she doesnt sit on all duds again.

Not sure how long it takes for the fertile eggs after hatching so you might want to mark and maybe take out the first 3-4 before letting her begin. My girls started back laying last week and hers were 5 weeks old, Nope I am taking them we have full houses. Oh and those you take crack open if you see the bulls eye then you'll know your in business, actually open the one there it should tell you if fertile.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Hi y'all. Last March, my Pekin moms took their adopted babies out in 30'F weather at Day 2! Had them swimming! Freaked me right out, that is for sure. Those babies were immediately integrated into the flock, the moms insisted on that.

So today I let my Ladies out, went back indoors to wash up, realized my Sweetie Pie Rouen was MIA. Guess what she's done? Hidden her eggs from me AGAIN... And she sat most of today, but was off the nest when I went outside for the PM feed. So I guess here we go again!

Keiyrs, your babies are so sweet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi y'all. Last March, my Pekin moms took their adopted babies out in 30'F weather at Day 2! Had them swimming! Freaked me right out, that is for sure. Those babies were immediately integrated into the flock, the moms insisted on that.

So today I let my Ladies out, went back indoors to wash up, realized my Sweetie Pie Rouen was MIA. Guess what she's done? Hidden her eggs from me AGAIN... And she sat most of today, but was off the nest when I went outside for the PM feed. So I guess here we go again!

Keiyrs, your babies are so sweet.

So more ducklings in your future Holly? immediate I should say.