The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[ringaring]

Are you going to be keeping all these new lil ones?

I would love to sell them but hate seeing them go. There's not been a lot of interest in ducklings around here so seems I will probably keep them. I figured I would lose a few to predators when I got the 1st 12. I still have the original 12. I guess big, loud goofy dogs are the best duck protectors I could hope for, even if they are separated by a fence.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would love to sell them but hate seeing them go. There's not been a lot of interest in ducklings around here so seems I will probably keep them. I figured I would lose a few to predators when I got the 1st 12. I still have the original 12. I guess big, loud goofy dogs are the best duck protectors I could hope for, even if they are separated by a fence.

I'm the same way have such a hard time selling them because I just don't want to part with them, so this year we haven't let anyone hatch. it's been hard though these girls are so determined. and my chickens will sneak in and lay where a duck is broody on nothing and slip her an egg so I have to check often for eggs

 

[121zues]

I'm so excited our first little duckling has hatched! I wonder how long it will be before someone else decides to show their face

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm so excited our first little duckling has hatched! I wonder how long it will be before someone else decides to show their face

Congrats!!

 

[121zues]

Congrats!! 

thank you! How long do you think it might be before the others hatch? The one that hatched had a hole in it yesterday that I thought maybe he had been stepped on cause it was kinda poked in not out but he's doing fine just not sure how far apart they can hatch and be okay I only have 5 eggs left I don't want to move her to check on the other ones.

 

[Miss Lydia]

thank you! How long do you think it might be before the others hatch? The one that hatched had a hole in it yesterday that I thought maybe he had been stepped on cause it was kinda poked in not out but he's doing fine just not sure how far apart they can hatch and be okay I only have 5 eggs left I don't want to move her to check on the other ones.

If she started broody on all at same time and none were laid sporadically after [staggered] then usually with in 1 -2 days all should be hatched. I always peak under my ducks when hatch begins. I'm just nosy

 

[121zues]

If she started broody on all at same time and none were laid sporadically  after [staggered]  then usually with in 1 -2 days all should be hatched. I always peak under my ducks when hatch begins. I'm just nosy 

I marked them so I'm pretty sure she started sitting on them all at once I tried to look under her but she's not having it lol I don't want to push it because I don't want her to step on and maybe Crack the eggs hopefully when I get home from work in the morning I will have some more.

 

[121zues]

So it's been more than 24 hours since babe no 1 showed up and nothing else is happening so I pushed mama off the nest for a minute and their are no pips or cracks or anything picked one up and tried to candle it all I could see was a dark blob and what I am assuming is the air cell. How long should I wait to do something and what should I do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

So it's been more than 24 hours since babe no 1 showed up and nothing else is happening so I pushed mama off the nest for a minute and their are no pips or cracks or anything picked one up and tried to candle it all I could see was a dark blob and what I am assuming is the air cell. How long should I wait to do something and what should I do?

This is when you try to be patient, was air cell tilted? dark blob with air cell usually means duckling but could also mean dead duckling just hard to know for sure unless you smell something off. What day are you on now? have you put food and water close by for mom and first duckling.

 

[121zues]

This is when you try to be patient, was air cell tilted? dark blob with air cell usually means duckling but could also mean dead duckling just hard to know for sure unless you smell something off. What day are you on now? have you put food and water close by for mom and first duckling. 

I'm not sure if it was tilted or not. We are on day 29 and yes mam I have food and water in with her and the baby.

He's the most precious thing I have ever seen!