Questions about Nesting Ducks

[kristyh]

Hi! Four of our ducks (three indian runners and one khaki campbell) made nests this spring and have been sitting on the eggs. Two of the indian runners abandoned their nests last week, but the other two are still on theirs. They have been on them for at least three weeks and we have about 25 eggs that are still being sat on. Out of these, how many do you think will hatch? How long do you think we should wait? Once they do hatch, should we just leave the mamas to raise the babies? Do they mostly hatch in the morning or at night? Thanks!!!

 

[Bleenie]

Youe never really know how many could hatch, you could get all or none! and if they do hatch they will hatch throughout the day most likely. regular duck eggs take 28 days i think (i only have muscovies & they take longer). The mommas will leave the nest when they feel done but sometimes mommas will abandon good or still hatching eggs so you may need to keep a close eye on them if you want all of them to survive.

do you have an incubator? If you do, it would be a good idea to get it set up a few days ahead of time just in case the mommas leave some eggs in the nests. if theres rotten ones you will Know, they'll either be pretty dark or smell pretty bad if you pick them up and sniff them.

Who's the daddy?

good luck!!

 

[kristyh]

Thanks for your advice! We do not have an incubator. Another one of our ducks seems to be getting broody. If this mama doesn't hatch all of them, should we just slip them under the other duck?

The daddies were two khaki campbells. We recently had to take them to a friend's pond though because they killed some of our girls and were continuing to be aggressive. Now we have no drakes, so this is our only chance to have at least some ducklings hatch. Have you had any problems with the drakes killing the girls? It was so sad to take them away, but their new home is very nice. We went to visit them, and they came running up to say hi. They were hanging out with a wild mallard who looked like he was left behind due to a wing injury.