Old German Duck Book

[katharinad]

Ok, I've found this old German duck book and found something really interesting in it. No sure, if it is true, but it kind of makes sense, and does sound so sweet. Call me crazy, but I'm doing it. It basically suggests that it is a good idea to talk to the eggs starting one week prior to lock down. They are saying that duck mommies talk to their eggs, so the chicks know their mom when they hatch. The duck will talk when going onto her eggs, so the chicks are prepared for some movement of their egg. So starting to talk to the eggs before and while you turn them is important. It's supposed to reduce the chicks stress of movement, and assures the chicks that it is mommy and not a predator. They are saying that the chicks are more responsive during lock down, because their stage of development. They also suggest to stand next to the incubator for 1-2 minutes and just talk to the duckies. Even reading from a book is fine. They also recommend to do that 5 times per day. My incubator is in my kitchen so they hear tons of talking from my husband and myself. So what do you guys think about this? The book was printed in 1920! Quite honest I'm talking to the eggs each time I turn them. Not really sure if that truly effects the the chicks in their eggs, but it does connect me emotionally to them.
Katharina

 

[Amiga]

katharinad,

I instinctlively chat with living things - as much for my benefit and sense of connection as to influence their behavior. I think it makes sense, and the German Duck book gives a plausible explanation of the reasoning and effects.

Have fun with it!

It does seem, by the way, that my runners are a little more settled if I talk while I am working near them.

 

[katharinad]

Oh talking to a duckling is always good. They do like that a lot. It calms then and they will follow you around. Talking to an egg is a different story. Still the emotional connection on my end is worse it. I think it relaxes me like humming a song does to me. It's just funny the things you read in old books. Is it true or is it a myth. I tend to say they must have known something.
Katharina

 

[TennesseeTruly]

You mean everyone doesn't already do this?? LOL!! I talk to everything I hatch. Ducks, geese, chickens, guineas. I talk to trees, grass, bushes, flowers, all animals. Its just who I am. Of course some people think I'm strange but I've always marched to the tune of a different drummer.

~Laurie~

 

[duckyfromoz]

From day 19 or 20 the ducklings are at a stage in growth where they do become able to hear.. How much exactly they may be able to hear throught the shell is unknown- but I always talk to the first few once they start to pip. Once a few have hatched they all talk to each other- which does encourage those slower in hatching. I think there is definately some merit in what your old german duck book claims on this matter.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

After the eggs in my incubator must have internally pipped I could hear them peeping when they heard a noise. They would really get excited if I peeped at them.
I don't know why they wouldn't be able to hear as soon as they were developed enough even before they broke into the air cell. I remember my daughter in my womb jumping like crazy once when our little dog suddenly barked right next to us - ouch! She could definately hear.

 

[CityChicker]

That's awesome! I *always* talk to my eggs, LOL. Glad to know I'm not completely crazy. They definitely can hear. I have noticed the same thing about them calling to you once they have pipped. That is pretty common. It is even part of what stimulates them to hatch. That is why I always try to leave ducklings in the incubator for awhile with small hatches if there are any stragglers.

 

[CityChicker]

...oh, and my current big time addiction is very old duck books. What book is that you are reading, katharinad? It amazes me when I read some of these really old books how it sometimes sounds like someone could have just written it. I don't know why, but it is just funny to me.

 

[katharinad]

Quote:
Baeuerliche Entenzucht is the German title. "Farm duck raising." A Bauer is usually a small farmer. It does not list an author, very strange. Some pages are loose and the front cover is missing. It has only about 50 pages and does not sound scientific at all. It was very nice to read, because you can tell it came from the heart. My guess is that a woman wrote it for other farm wifes.

My current batch of 6 duck eggs will go into lock down tomorrow, but today I've noticed that one egg had rolled by itself in the night, and another one was wiggling this morning. I wonder if they will hatch early. Can't wait so see my cuties.
Katharina

 

[NoelTate]

I think it absolutely makes sense. They hear the voice before hatching, so they naturally respond to it and feel safe with it. I believe human babies are the same way. They recognize voices they heard during gestation. A boss of mine once swore that it calmed her twins down when I would visit because they recognized my voice from the months I worked with her while she was pregnant.