The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[chickengirl987]

Including you?  

 

[one old chick]

what breed are they

they are K Campbell. she is def. sitting and the other duck is sitting with her? they are both sitting on the same nest? there are five eggs. she comes off them once or twice a day for a drink, quick bath and snack and she goes right back on them. the other duck stays on them while she does this. the second duck goes on and off more often. it's as if the second duck is the back up? how weird is that? is this normal behavior? should I just leave them to what they are doing or should I separate the other duck out? neither duck is laying eggs at this point so I am assuming the second duck thinks she should brood also? it strikes me funny that they are sharing the same nest.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Well when I went out this morning, there was a half of egg shell laying about 3ft outside of her doghouse. There was just a lil line of blood or looked like a vein and a bit of poo on it and that was it. Does this mean 1 hatched? I don't hear no noises coming from inside but I don't want to get to close and bother her. Should I hear peeping like lil chicks? It is pretty warm today, I can lift the doghouse right off and over her if need be so she has more air and room, I just never know what's gonna disturb her. I'll be running out there every few hrs listening, lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well when I went out this morning, there was a half of egg shell laying about 3ft outside of her doghouse. There was just a lil line of blood or looked like a vein and a bit of poo on it and that was it. Does this mean 1 hatched? I don't hear no noises coming from inside but I don't want to get to close and bother her. Should I hear peeping like lil chicks? It is pretty warm today, I can lift the doghouse right off and over her if need be so she has more air and room, I just never know what's gonna disturb her. I'll be running out there every few hrs listening, lol

Ducklings don't do much peeping like chicks do and sure sounds like one has hatched. You know your duck better than we do if she doesn't mind you being around her then if your worried about her health and the heat then maybe go ahead and switch house but i thought igloos had floors? About the only way I know when mine are hatching or hatched is when I see them peeking out from under mom.

 

[Miss Lydia]

they are K Campbell. she is def. sitting and the other duck is sitting with her? they are both sitting on the same nest? there are five eggs. she comes off them once or twice a day for a drink, quick bath and snack and she goes right back on them. the other duck stays on them while she does this. the second duck goes on and off more often. it's as if the second duck is the back up? how weird is that? is this normal behavior? should I just leave them to what they are doing or should I separate the other duck out? neither duck is laying eggs at this point so I am assuming the second duck thinks she should brood also? it strikes me funny that they are sharing the same nest.

It is very cute but not always the best since one may not like it when the ducklings start to hatch and babies get trampled to death when 2 mamas are fighting over parental rights. You could give the other duck some eggs in a separate area and see if she'll take to them, if they come from the nest she is on now she may accept them. worth a try

 

[lbrykowski2011]

Ducklings don't do much peeping like chicks do and sure sounds like one has hatched. You know your duck better than we do if she doesn't mind you being around her then if your worried about her health and the heat then maybe go ahead and switch house but i thought igloos had floors? About the only way I know when mine are hatching or hatched is when I see them peeking out from under mom.

She is in a small wooden dog house right now, no floor. The igloo I have ready with pine flakes on the floor so whenever she's done hatching i can switch them out. I just don't know when to do what, lol. So does she carry the half of egg shell out? I was so worried when I saw the shell that something went wrong. Taking the doghouse off would give her more air and room, but no privacy so I think I may leave on. Just can't wait to see what's going on.

Thanks for the help again and being there, I'm such a nervous non-mother, lol

 

[lbrykowski2011]

I seen her standing just outside of her house so I sneaked up and once she saw me she went back in, but I was able to see some yellow and black fuzzy heads in the nest, YEAH!!!! Still seen some eggs too, so gonna stay away for a lil while now, but I know I have a few. Got the lil waterer made from a small sour cream bowl like you showed me. This is soo cool

 

[Miss Lydia]

I seen her standing just outside of her house so I sneaked up and once she saw me she went back in, but I was able to see some yellow and black fuzzy heads in the nest, YEAH!!!! Still seen some eggs too, so gonna stay away for a lil while now, but I know I have a few. Got the lil waterer made from a small sour cream bowl like you showed me. This is soo cool

Probably best to let her finish hatching once she brings them outside then make all the changes. CONGRATS!!!! can't wait too see those ducklings..

Right now I am getting ready for gosling just 1 since this egg is the only one that's made it but mama is sitting tight shouldn't be much longer here.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She is in a small wooden dog house right now, no floor. The igloo I have ready with pine flakes on the floor so whenever she's done hatching i can switch them out. I just don't know when to do what, lol. So does she carry the half of egg shell out? I was so worried when I saw the shell that something went wrong. Taking the doghouse off would give her more air and room, but no privacy so I think I may leave on. Just can't wait to see what's going on.

Thanks for the help again and being there, I'm such a nervous non-mother, lol

Oh you didn't want to leave anything over them not a good idea. glad you decided against that. They even eat some of them it's just a way to keep preds from coming around.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

3 baby ducklings

7 baby ducklings
Will check again in the morning. How do you know when and if their done?