Poor fertility in Runners?

[MrsHudson221B]

Hi!

After losses this winter, I’m down to a flock of ten runners (from 14). I have 8 ducks and 2 drakes. All turned one year old this past spring. My girls lay consistently, but my drakes don’t seem up to the task. I set ten eggs I had gathered over two days, and only three developed at all, one was an early quitter. Now I only have two going in the incubator.

My drakes don’t seem interested in the ducks, and I often see them off together when the group is out foraging in the yard (a little over 2 acres)

Is this typical for this age? For runners in general? I bought extra ducks trying to prevent my girls from being worn out from over-ambitious drakes, but it looks like I have the opposite problem.

Trying to think of other factors: I am also running chickens and a trio of African geese from this spring out in the yard with the ducks. But, they seem to just go off in their own groups and do their own thing; I have yet to see any inter-species disputes. I have a buried deep trough in the duck run which gets pumped and refreshed with clean water weekly, and a shallow baby pool at the opposite end of the yard— the ducks and geese seem to avoid each other and take turns between the two.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

When the drakes mount the ducks do the geese try and intervene? Asking because my geese will try and stop any mating [and do at times] going on here whether it's with the ducks or chickens.

Other than that I cannot imagine what maybe going on I have 1 Runner duck and he takes care of his 6 ladies with out any problem although I haven't tried to hatch any of their eggs. I know he is doing his part. Maybe try and put the Runners into a pen or fenced area by themselves and see if anything changes.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

@MissLydia, No. My gander doesn’t seem to really care about the runners as long as they stay clear of his ladies and his feed dish. And, my geese don’t care about much besides eating grass and walking around with their noses in the air. I have two roosters that get business done right in front of them without a problem.

I guess I’ll need to set up a breeder pen for a trio. Always a new project...

Thanks so much, as always! You’re so very helpful!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Keep us updated. Actually it’s my female who breaks up the mating here oh my gosh she doesn’t like it at all

 

[MrsHudson221B]

@LilDrake: Thanks! I will!

Tbh, we have plans to change up the pens/runs in the next few weeks to make sure we have a good “timeout” spot for the geese. Right now, they share time in the duck run as needed. But, we a dedicated spot for emergencies, nesting, etc.

In the mean time I’m trying to focus on the two babies in the incubator. They’re developing well, and I’m hoping for a good hatch. Two isn’t very many, but better than a singleton. I may have to convince hubby to buy some more ducklings to keep these company.... hmmmmmm....

 

[Lil Drake40]

Good plans. Hope those 2 lil ones hatch without difficulty. Keep us updated. ML

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Copied from thread in Incubating forum (I’m such a Luddite... not sure how to link back):

I have two runner duck eggs in the incubator (hovabator, if that matters) that I put in lockdown on Saturday morning. I’ve been keeping humidity about 80% since lockdown. They’ve both been rocking and rolling and peeping. I noticed what I thought was a pip on the skinny end (non air cell) of one. I candled to make sure the duckling wasn’t flipped wrong way in egg and saw internal pip in air cell and clearly see duck bill inside air cell. It looks like a small piece of egg shell was just kicked off the end... membrane still in tact. Should I do anything? Just wait and see? I’ve helped lots of chicks out when I’ve noticed an abnormality, but this is my first batch of ducklings.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[Miss Lydia]

@WVduckchick
@casportpony
@shawluvsbirds

Exciting, sounds like they are doing okay if the bill is inside the air cell membrane has to be open.

Thinking your humidity is too high. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubation-humidity.73386/

 

[MrsHudson221B]

Should drill a hole on air cell end? I’m assuming I should leave exposed membrane alone— ive had to rescue shrink wrapped chicks befor and am super paranoid about having the membrane dry out too soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why not give them time to external pip by them selves. How long has internal pip been there?