OUR FIRST EGG!!!!!!

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

My FIL called to say 2 eggs today. Both in the same “nest” I guess I should make them a couple boxes it seems unlikely that one duck laid 2 eggs??? So I assume we have 2 doing it now???

 

[Miss Lydia]

They love laying their eggs in the same nest I usually find 2-4 in one nest which is just shavings with an indention in it.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

So I’m a little confused, I had been of the impression that when a fertilized egg is laid, the clock starts ticking, it seems they have some time where they are in limbo?? What starts the process of development? How long does it have between time of lay and the clock starting on incubation? Is heat the trigger? Is there a switch on the eggs I have not found?

 

[Miss Lydia]

When a female ducks begins sitting on the eggs 24/7 except for 1-2x a day when she’ll come off to poop eat bathe.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

If she's not sitting, the Clock isn't ticking. Also first eggs are not that great for hatching but fantastic for eating.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

My wife found it in the duck house this morning!!! I will presume it is a runner egg as our others aren’t old enough and I am just guessing it is the white one because she seemed to acclimate the quickest. Larger than I expected from a runner but kind of runner shaped long and skinny. We are very excited! View attachment 2224969View attachment 2224970

Congratulations!

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

If she's not sitting, the Clock isn't ticking. Also first eggs are not that great for hatching but fantastic for eating.

So far I have no reason to suspect a fertilized egg, there’s humping all over the yard but it’s among the 3 female runners, the other ladies and our drake are too young. I suppose Winston might start getting frisky soon but I have not witnessed it.
So say i collect fertilized eggs , how many days from the day of collection and the day of incubation do I have? Is the heat of incubation the trigger?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

For best results eggs shouldn't be older than 7 days at the start of incubation. They should be kept on the counter at cool room temperature.

 

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

well, as of this morning we are up to 20 eggs, these runners are living up to their reputation. 3 each morning the last 2 mornings! I hope they don't wear themselves out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I thought the same thing but after 4 yrs these girls still lay really good!