Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

[Nero70002]

Also sometimes the ducklings mouth breathe, do you think it’s fine? Their bedding is large wood shavings and this is the temperature and humidity for the week. They keep knocking the thing over though, I keep it at the front leg of their brooder plate.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Also what do you make your safety holes with? I used a sharp screw but the shell was so hard that it took forever to make it. It did save the duckling but I worried about it being in my hand for so long. Thanks again for the information.

I use a tac that I clean with rubbing
Alcohol
I find it easier to rub back and forth in a small area to weaken the shell
Then I can poke in I make sure I don’t hit the duckling and make sure I get the membrane
When I need to make a safety hole if it’s after 24 hours in the air cell I candle to see the beak and go just above it so I don’t hit baby
Most times baby styli makes his own pip and hatches
This last batch I have no idea what happened
Mom started this batch and left it part way in and some had really wonky air cells
A few eggs bay have been on the smaller side but I added the rest under her after I saw she was broody
I have now learned that bigger males can cause to big of babies for a smaller duck who lays a bit smaller egg
That being said I normally only incubate 70 grams or higher but have moved that to 75 or higher now as I have a few smaller girls that my bigger Swedish boys mate and I could see that being a problem so I don’t incubate their eggs at all

 

[Luv Ducks]

I use a tac that I clean with rubbing
Alcohol
I find it easier to rub back and forth in a small area to weaken the shell
Then I can poke in I make sure I don’t hit the duckling and make sure I get the membrane
When I need to make a safety hole if it’s after 24 hours in the air cell I candle to see the beak and go just above it so I don’t hit baby
Most times baby styli makes his own pip and hatches
This last batch I have no idea what happened
Mom started this batch and left it part way in and some had really wonky air cells
A few eggs bay have been on the smaller side but I added the rest under her after I saw she was broody
I have now learned that bigger males can cause to big of babies for a smaller duck who lays a bit smaller egg
That being said I normally only incubate 70 grams or higher but have moved that to 75 or higher now as I have a few smaller girls that my bigger Swedish boys mate and I could see that being a problem so I don’t incubate their eggs at all

Thanks for the information. I don't even think my eggs are fertile at this point that I have in the incubator but by being on here so much I just couldn't help but try. It's so addicting! lol

 

[Luv Ducks]

I use a tac that I clean with rubbing
Alcohol
I find it easier to rub back and forth in a small area to weaken the shell
Then I can poke in I make sure I don’t hit the duckling and make sure I get the membrane
When I need to make a safety hole if it’s after 24 hours in the air cell I candle to see the beak and go just above it so I don’t hit baby
Most times baby styli makes his own pip and hatches
This last batch I have no idea what happened
Mom started this batch and left it part way in and some had really wonky air cells
A few eggs bay have been on the smaller side but I added the rest under her after I saw she was broody
I have now learned that bigger males can cause to big of babies for a smaller duck who lays a bit smaller egg
That being said I normally only incubate 70 grams or higher but have moved that to 75 or higher now as I have a few smaller girls that my bigger Swedish boys mate and I could see that being a problem so I don’t incubate their eggs at all

I only have the one Rouen/Mallard Drake that is not too big and then the 4 little Call Drakes. I have seen them try to mate with some of my Ducks but I don't think they were successful. I do have my 2 California Mallards sitting on at least 12 eggs but I am not sure if they are all fertile. I think at least some are. One was thrown out of the nest and eaten by one of them. They have been together since birth and get along well and since they are separated by netting from the rest of the flock they seem to be keeping each other company. I have seen one of the Calls trying to mate them before so the babies will all be on Jerry Springer if they hatch saying "Whose My Daddy???" LOL

 

[Luv Ducks]

The safety hole would be at the bruise, as the baby's beak is there trying to break through

Thanks, I was concerned if the duckling is malpositioned it might be a foot trying to kick out of the shell and not the beak. Could that be possible?

 

[Luv Ducks]

The safety hole would be at the bruise, as the baby's beak is there trying to break through

Okay Thanks. Some think it should be in the air cell and I got confused.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Look at how big they are getting . Their bills used to be after the size of their head but now they’re the same size.
Also almost set them down on a nope rope, but moved them to an area with “weeds” and hoses. I took both pictures with my phone, but I’ll upload my camera pictures later for the one I just took.
Yesterday
View attachment 3469599
View attachment 3469601
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View attachment 3469600
2 weeks ago, can you tell who is who? Blackberry, mango, and figgy.
View attachment 3469596
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View attachment 3469604

Just wait they will be even bigger, mine have quadrupled the size in 2 weeks!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

@fluffycrow happy Easter to you! Ill go back to Easter it was nice them now its 40 degrees again.....

 

[fluffycrow]

@fluffycrow happy Easter to you! Ill go back to Easter it was nice them now its 40 degrees again.....

Thank you! And ouch that's cold cold

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Thank you! And ouch that's cold cold

Your Welcome! Lets just say yesterday it was 75 degrees...