So we've decided (and been encouraged by other local duck keepers) to try and hatch some eggs.
My plan is basically to start leaving eggs in the duck house and see if one of the hens decides to sit. If nothing happens in a week or so, say oh well, collects the eggs for eating (it's still cold enough outside) and try later with an incubator.
Now, my understanding is that the eggs should be clean and that it's better for them to be larger rather than smaller. But I would like to clear that up a bit more in the practical sense so I have some questions (yay).
- Do the eggs I leave need to be 100% super clean or can they have a dirty pinprick or two or a light stripe? We normally only get let's say 1 or 2 really clean eggs out of 6-7 per day.
- If the egg is somewhat dirty, can I try and clean that with a dry paper towel as to avoid damaging the surface? Does this even serve a purpose as the result will not be 100% super clean anyway, just cleaner?
- What happens if the eggs left in the house were super clean originally but I find out later on that they are not so clean anymore? For example while the eggs are still being accumulated and the hens are still thinking about whether to sit... then one comes along and poops on the lot
Do I need to discard them all and start anew?
- How important is it for the eggs to be large? (To what extent does them being smaller affect the chances that the duckling will hatch and develop well?)
- (depending also on the answers above) If the only eggs in a day that are super clean are the ones that are the smallest, is that acceptable or should I say oh well let's wait for another day?
Also,
- Does the drake need to be rehomed out of the common duck house in order for a hen to decide to sit? For example because he would be bothering her, or trampling around... (Or will a broody hen soon show him who's the boss)
- In the last several days I've noticed that whereas before all the hens laid their daily eggs in one place, with very few random exceptions, now it seems that most of the eggs are in one spot but there are also separate places each with one egg, is that an indication of anything?
Thank you!
