Pekin sitting on eggs

[Miss Lydia]

My husband saw a duckling hiding under mother duck. So I am guessing she'll wait for more to hatch before they eat food and drink water or venture out?

Yep, actually the ducklings will live on the egg sac a couple of days after hatch. I usually put food and water close to where mama is so when she is ready she can show the babies where to eat and get some nourishment herself.. Congrats on your hatch.. Very exciting

 

[I gotDucks]

Do I need to check the eggs to see if there are any smelly ones while she continues to sit?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do I need to check the eggs to see if there are any smelly ones while she continues to sit?

If she doesn't mind you messing with her, I usually wait a couple 3 days and give her a chance to finish hatching then take out the eggs that haven't hatched candle and toss if nothing going on.

 

[I gotDucks]

I think she is on a roll. I saw four briefly. So adorable. Unusually cold here. I think I will let nature take its course for a couple days.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think she is on a roll. I saw four briefly. So adorable. Unusually cold here. I think I will let nature take its course for a couple days.

Good idea mama will keep duckling warm as toast. Congrats!!

 

[shicks0211]

yes..when ducklings first hatch they sometimes don't eat for a day or so, they're tired, hatching is hard work..and if she's laid several i'd imagine that they're all hatching around the same time..she won't take them out till everyone is accounted for..then she'll venture out to show them off. If it's a lake or pond though and there are snapping turtles..they'll get the babies..the wild mandarins on my lake rarely have any that survive..i'll see momma with 10, then next day, 7, then couple days 4...they go quick when they're tiny if they don't have cover.

 

[I gotDucks]

Update: There are 9 Pekin ducklings. It appears one was trampled under her the first day. I have seen how they are trapped under a foot and can't move. I cleaned out the nest. The second day she kept them in the nest box. Third and Forth day she is out by the small pond with them. So fun to watch. I was there during their birth and I think I am accepted too. It's been unusually cold. Tomorrow will be upper 80's. No snappers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Update: There are 9 Pekin ducklings. It appears one was trampled under her the first day. I have seen how they are trapped under a foot and can't move. I cleaned out the nest. The second day she kept them in the nest box. Third and Forth day she is out by the small pond with them. So fun to watch. I was there during their birth and I think I am accepted too. It's been unusually cold. Tomorrow will be upper 80's. No snappers.

Congrats,, It's so much fun watching mama and her babies.. so sorry about the one you lost.