- Jan 1, 2014
- 16
- 0
- 22
One of our Runner ducks went broody and we decided to let her sit on a clutch of eggs, let nature take its course and just see what might happen. In the past, our Runner girls have not been interested in sitting, but this one took it very seriously, barely leaving the nest and protecting the eggs fiercely. We did not interfere or examine the eggs during the 29 days. Anticipated hatching day came and went a week ago, with no sign of life. We let her keep sitting on the eggs, in case our date-figuring was off.
Today I found a perfectly formed duckling, still curled in egg shape, in the water bowl. No sign of an eggshell. So... did Mama duck eat the eggshell and put the body in there? Strange? or is this something they do? Any ideas why ducklings would appear to have developed normally and fully, and then not hatch? I guess there are many reasons, just so curious about what went wrong.
Should we remove the eggs? Let her try again? Anything we can do to help her chances next time?
Today I found a perfectly formed duckling, still curled in egg shape, in the water bowl. No sign of an eggshell. So... did Mama duck eat the eggshell and put the body in there? Strange? or is this something they do? Any ideas why ducklings would appear to have developed normally and fully, and then not hatch? I guess there are many reasons, just so curious about what went wrong.
Should we remove the eggs? Let her try again? Anything we can do to help her chances next time?
