They're mating! When will babies come?

[RitaK]

Hi All,

I have three WH's (one male and two females). I witnessed "the act" today between Frank and Millie. He left Gertie alone so far… They are only 6 months old. Should I expect babies soon? TIA!

 

[Ryan521]

Getting eggs from them is a possibility, but no ducklings unless one of the girls decides to go broody.

 

[Odelia]

Well that depends. Are you planning on incubating the eggs? If not it depends on when she decides to sit on them.

 

[latb611]

How long can you leave the eggs in the nest waiting for her to sit? I read that they sometimes will not sit until they have a full clutch. So when do you give up on her sitting and collect thee eggs?

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

How long can you leave the eggs in the nest waiting for her to sit? I read that they sometimes will not sit until they have a full clutch. So when do you give up on her sitting and collect thee eggs?

Ducks don't normally go broody till they are at least a year old, more likely 2 or 3. And in my experience if she is truly going broody she will do it on one egg, and persistently too. Even if not, you should be able to tell signs, she should be kind of poofy and hanging around the house going in and out. You'll know, and once you see that, then you can leave eggs in for her to sit on.

 

[RitaK]

Thank you all for the info! All three ducks leave their house everyday and head to our creek which leads to a pond. They come back and forth through out the day but I wouldn't say either girl was "broody". And there's not a nest in their house. Here's another question...there are two females, yet only one egg each day. Where is the other egg? Is it somewhere in the yard? Or is one not laying?

 

[RitaK]

Here's a picture of them. They are the funniest pets I've ever had!