The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you!! I may end up getting Scottie's because of all I've been reading since my last post. Apparently it all depends on the owner and how much time is spent with the animals.

I agree. I love spending time with my flock.

 

[L0rraine]

If your losing them while helping you need a better system, there's definitely ways to get them out without harming them..

I just saw (last night) your many posts regarding the four ducklings that you helped to successfully hatch a week or so ago. It was a wonderful thread and well worth the read. My duckling didn't survive the night, but I really think it was way too early for the little guy and the problem was a badly broken shell rather than an attempt to hatch. A wee bit of the duckling was exposed this morning and it seemed pretty small still and there was quite a bit of yoke. I think if I had had an incubator (or a modified heat lamp setup) there might have been some chance to bring it along, but I just wasn't prepared. There is no activity visible yet in the remaining eggs and I really wasn't expecting them to hatch until the middle of next week. I should candle one or two tomorrow to try to determine exactly where we're at, though I was bound and determined to just let nature take its course with this batch.

On a more positive note, I just met a young woman from across our pasture when her ducklings made their way through our fence from her pond and I was concerned about whether they would find their way back again or not. It turns out she has gotten quite adept at 'helping' ducks, chickens and geese hatch (when needed) and she seems to have a great understanding of the process. She's volunteered to help anyway she can if we run into problems next week and she has an incubator on call. She has a great little menagerie over there and a magical relationship with her 'birds'.

Hopefully I'll have more positive updates next week. Thank you so much for your comments and your willingness to help everyone out here.

 

[Lacrystol]

I just saw (last night) your many posts regarding the four ducklings that you helped to successfully hatch a week or so ago. It was a wonderful thread and well worth the read. My duckling didn't survive the night, but I really think it was way too early for the little guy and the problem was a badly broken shell rather than an attempt to hatch. A wee bit of the duckling was exposed this morning and it seemed pretty small still and there was quite a bit of yoke. I think if I had had an incubator (or a modified heat lamp setup) there might have been some chance to bring it along, but I just wasn't prepared. There is no activity visible yet in the remaining eggs and I really wasn't expecting them to hatch until the middle of next week. I should candle one or two tomorrow to try to determine exactly where we're at, though I was bound and determined to just let nature take its course with this batch.

On a more positive note, I just met a young woman from across our pasture when her ducklings made their way through our fence from her pond and I was concerned about whether they would find their way back again or not. It turns out she has gotten quite adept at 'helping' ducks, chickens and geese hatch (when needed) and she seems to have a great understanding of the process. She's volunteered to help anyway she can if we run into problems next week and she has an incubator on call. She has a great little menagerie over there and a magical relationship with her 'birds'.

Hopefully I'll have more positive updates next week. Thank you so much for your comments and your willingness to help everyone out here.

ONLY 4, LOL I wonder if you read this one? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/903044/shrink-wrapped-ducks-what-should-i-do/2180#post_13797136

In this one I ended up helping 8 babies out.. LOL, each week i get a request for help. the title Always start like this "Help" LOL I don't mind since i have been helping for quite a while now. LOL

That's great that you have your back up helper... GOOD DEAL...

 

[L0rraine]

Well, here we go. External pips appearing on the eggs in the nest. Hoping for smooth sailing over the next day or so, though that's rarely my experience. We have company all day so that should take my mind of all the 'fussing over things' for today. An experienced neighbor, who I have just met, has agreed to help with any problem 'children', but if I can't reach her I may need to call on Lacrystol.

Glad there are so many 'like-mindeds' out there.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, here we go. External pips appearing on the eggs in the nest. Hoping for smooth sailing over the next day or so, though that's rarely my experience. We have company all day so that should take my mind of all the 'fussing over things' for today. An experienced neighbor, who I have just met, has agreed to help with any problem 'children', but if I can't reach her I may need to call on Lacrystol.

Glad there are so many 'like-mindeds' out there.

Well hopefully you won't have to do a thing, mama duck will take care of it all.

 

[Lacrystol]

Well, here we go. External pips appearing on the eggs in the nest. Hoping for smooth sailing over the next day or so, though that's rarely my experience. We have company all day so that should take my mind of all the 'fussing over things' for today. An experienced neighbor, who I have just met, has agreed to help with any problem 'children', but if I can't reach her I may need to call on Lacrystol.

Glad there are so many 'like-mindeds' out there.

Ready when ever....

 

[Lacrystol]

Well hopefully you won't have to do a thing, mama duck will take care of it all.

I think she will and I would try and not disturb her as much as possible.

 

[L0rraine]

I think she will and I would try and not disturb her as much as possible.

Took a quick peek at the eggs tonight. There are three where the pips have turned to holes and I hear peeping. I don't see any zipping yet. I didn't touch or move any of the eggs at this point so there is likely more going on than I could see. I scurried away to leave 'mom' in peace. Will update tomorrow. As you can imagine she is getting more and more protective and loath to leave the nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Took a quick peek at the eggs tonight. There are three where the pips have turned to holes and I hear peeping. I don't see any zipping yet. I didn't touch or move any of the eggs at this point so there is likely more going on than I could see. I scurried away to leave 'mom' in peace. Will update tomorrow. As you can imagine she is getting more and more protective and loath to leave the nest.

Sounds to me like she has everything under control, she isn't going to want to leave now she is keeping the humidity right where it needs to be. Looking forward to seeing some ducklings soon.

 

[Lacrystol]

Took a quick peek at the eggs tonight. There are three where the pips have turned to holes and I hear peeping. I don't see any zipping yet. I didn't touch or move any of the eggs at this point so there is likely more going on than I could see. I scurried away to leave 'mom' in peace. Will update tomorrow. As you can imagine she is getting more and more protective and loath to leave the nest.

Just wait until she's done and your in the kitchen and look out the window and see her and all these babies behind her. OMG, it's the GREATEST thing every..