Question about broody duck's eggs

[Sue S]

I've posted questions before about my broody duck " Olivia" & yes, I have another question?!!!!!
She has been sitting on a nest of 7 eggs ( 1 got broke So, where down to 6 ) over the weekend I was able to candle them & all looked good except 1, I thought was not fertile, I candled them again this morning looking for the non fertile egg to remove it but when I found it, it's fertile. I can see veining.
She is on day 18 of nesting & the 1 egg that I thought was bad is now good. My question is it looks like it's a few days behind the development of the other eggs, I'm not sure if another female laid an egg & she took it or if she didn't have the egg under her completely so it developing slower, should I remove the egg or will she continue to sit on the nest til it hatches even after the others hatch????

 

[chickens really]

I've posted questions before about my broody duck " Olivia" & yes, I have another question?!!!!!
She has been sitting on a nest of 7 eggs ( 1 got broke So, where down to 6 ) over the weekend I was able to candle them & all looked good except 1, I thought was not fertile, I candled them again this morning looking for the non fertile egg to remove it but when I found it, it's fertile. I can see veining.
She is on day 18 of nesting & the 1 egg that I thought was bad is now good. My question is it looks like it's a few days behind the development of the other eggs, I'm not sure if another female laid an egg & she took it or if she didn't have the egg under her completely so it developing slower, should I remove the egg or will she continue to sit on the nest til it hatches even after the others hatch????

I'd remove it because she will be up and wanting to feed her Ducklings after about two days. That one will not be accepted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve had them sit for at least 3 days after hatch but of course it depends on the duck and how far behind this egg is .

 

[casportpony]

should I remove the egg or will she continue to sit on the nest til it hatches even after the others hatch???

I would leave it and try not to worry until she leaves the nest.

 

[Sue S]

I would leave it and try not to worry until she leaves the nest.

Thanks, I think I will leave it & wait to see what happens, since I'm able to candle them occasionally I will watch it's development & try to figure out how far behind it is, if I feel it's to far behind I will remove it cuz I don't want her neglecting the ducklings that hatch to wait for just 1 egg.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks, I think I will leave it & wait to see what happens, since I'm able to candle them occasionally I will watch it's development & try to figure out how far behind it is, if I feel it's to far behind I will remove it cuz I don't want her neglecting the ducklings that hatch to wait for just 1 egg.

I've had a few that looked many days behind, but somehow they managed to catch up and hatch with the others. When the others hatch and start getting antsy to leave the nest, and the one egg hasn't hatched yet, you could place food and water near the nest for them.

 

[Sue S]

I will do that, Thanks