So excited, hen has been sitting for 15 days

[GracieJ]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to share my excitement, Myrtle, my hen, laid a clutch of 11 eggs and it's been 15 days since she started to sit on them, only popping out for 20-30 minutes at a time for food, a swim and to see her beloved soul mate Jemima (Yes, it's a girl's name, we thought he was a girl until we realised the curled tail and deep quack! ). He's a bit lost whilst she is in her nest but he comes into the house as much as he wants for some company! You should see them when she takes a break and they meet up, it's like something out of a love story.

I don't know how many out of the 11 she will actually have, this is both Jemima and Myrtle's first clutch and my first time in raising ducklings. I did find one egg cracked on the floor near the nest - she rolled it out accidentally, poor mama - and one looked clear when I candled it (but I can't be sure) and I found one that she wasn't sitting on and it was practically frozen but I put it back in the nest under her, so I'm not sure if that one will hatch. But we are hoping and hoping that she has at least 5/6. They'd be such good parents.

I will keep you all updated! I've read it's around 28 days until they start to hatch. I have a little calendar to keep track, crossing off one day at a time

Any advice on raising new-born ducklings? I've got the basics such as supervised swims, keep them warm, out of reach from predators. When will I be able to sex them?
Thanks in advance!

 

[BYCforlife]

That's great! I don't know much about ducks, but I hope your hatch rates are at least 100%!

 

[Miss Lydia]

If your going to let mom raise them then you won't have to do much, keep the feed bowl filled give them a water container they can dip their heads into but can't climb into and drown. and keep them safe from predators and possibly dear old dad. Yes drakes have been known to injure or kill their own ducklings. So most would rec putting up a barrier between mom and ducklings for a few weeks so dad gets use to having the ducklings around. I use a fenced off area where all the flock can see mom and new babies but they are safe from harm.

All the best on the hatch and be sure to keep us updated!!

 

[GracieJ]

If your going to let mom raise them then you won't have to do much, keep the feed bowl filled give them a water container they can dip their heads into but can't climb into and drown. and keep them safe from predators and possibly dear old dad. Yes drakes have been known to injure or kill their own ducklings. So most would rec putting up a barrier between mom and ducklings for a few weeks so dad gets use to having the ducklings around. I use a fenced off area where all the flock can see mom and new babies but they are safe from harm.

All the best on the hatch and be sure to keep us updated!!

Aww Thank you very much for your advice! It will go a long way the ducklings are due next week and I'm so excited I'm having dreams about them and everything!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So exciting can't wait to hear when they begin hatching.

 

[JedJackson]

Great advice from Miss Lydia. I hope you have a great hatch and enjoy the ducklings! There's really nothing cuter.

 

[GracieJ]

Great advice from Miss Lydia. I hope you have a great hatch and enjoy the ducklings! There's really nothing cuter.

Thank you we are going through an unusually cold winter where I live, snow and everything - very odd for the coast - so the ducks and ducklings will have to come in next week if it stays the same! I'll keep you all updated when they start to hatch! x

 

[AshleyNicole06]

Aww yay!!

 

[GracieJ]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice please, it’s now exactly 28 days in and my hen is sitting on her nest but I can’t hear any pipping or sounds of hatching. Should I look when she gets off for a break? I will need to move her nest as she’s laid her eggs in a very unusual place and I will need to bring them inside as it’s very cold here. What should I do? Is it safe to move them now or do I wait till they’ve all hatched? How can I check they’ve began hatching if she’s still sitting on them?

Thank you!! Xx

 

[Miss Lydia]

You'll need to check under her, I just lift my duck up and look , But ducklings don't necessarily hatch by the calendar so it may not be right on day 28 and if it's cold that may set the time off too.
I usually move mine right before hatch that way the mom stays put better, I have a broody house that I use but have also used a Xlarger dog crate so I could move the mom and ducklings inside if the weather turned real cold. Where ever you move her make sure to bring plenty of the nesting material with you and the eggs and keep her locked up so she doesn't run back to the old nesting area.