trying to save a duck egg

[hannahgriffi]

hello everyone. i have wild duck houses and when i was opening one to see if it was occupied a single egg fell out and has no damage to the shell. i quickly got some hand warmers and i have it at a steady 100 degrees. i candled it and it is fertilized. i have no idea how far along it is:/ i also have no incubator. i really want to save this little guy. any tips will help

 

[hannahgriffi]

update. i think it’s about 15-20 days along

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Do you know what kind of ducks they are? If they are wild species and not domestic, it is a federal crime to own or touch the eggs, adults or ducklings. Most wild ducks are protected by the migratory bird act.

 

[hannahgriffi]

Do you know what kind of ducks they are? If they are wild species and not domestic, it is a federal crime to own or touch the eggs, adults or ducklings. Most wild ducks are protected by the migratory bird act.

they are a domestic breed. i’m pretty sure mallard

 

[Weeg]

Why did you take the egg? Are you sure the mother wasn't just eating? Its likely she left the nest to eat, or is getting a clutch ready to incubate, its very possible you are doing more harm then good.

 

[Weeg]

they are a domestic breed. i’m pretty sure mallard

You said wild duck houses. Are these ducks living in the wild, or in civilization? Just because its a Mallard doesn't mean its a domestic breed. There are wild mallards, and domestic Mallards, this is likely a wild Mallard egg.

 

[hannahgriffi]

the egg fell out of the nest while i was checking the boxes. i left it to see if mom wanted would get it but after awile mom went back in the nest and didn’t seem to care about the egg on the ground so i brought it inside on some heat. i wouldn’t want to leave the egg out by the boxes because of potential predator attraction. i know well about taking wild birds/bird eggs is illegal. but i’m just wondering if there is a chance i can save it before throwing it away. the ducks that use our boxes live in a duck pond that has ducks that were relesed/ rehabilitated by people/ wild so it is hard to tell. sorry for upsetting some people. just trying to save a life

 

[RosemaryDuck]

the egg fell out of the nest while i was checking the boxes. i left it to see if mom wanted would get it but after awile mom went back in the nest and didn’t seem to care about the egg on the ground so i brought it inside on some heat. i wouldn’t want to leave the egg out by the boxes because of potential predator attraction. i know well about taking wild birds/bird eggs is illegal. but i’m just wondering if there is a chance i can save it before throwing it away. the ducks that use our boxes live in a duck pond that has ducks that were relesed/ rehabilitated by people/ wild so it is hard to tell. sorry for upsetting some people. just trying to save a life

No one's upset, just wanted to give you advice so you didn't get in trouble with the law. If it's a domestic duck egg you should be fine. I don't have any advice in terms of incubation without a proper incubator. I'll tag @Isaac 0 and @azygous and see if they know anything.

 

[hannahgriffi]

No one's upset, just wanted to give you advice so you didn't get in trouble with the law. If it's a domestic duck egg you should be fine. I don't have any advice in terms of incubation without a proper incubator. I'll tag @Isaac 0 and @azygous and see if they know anything.

ok thanks. is there anyway i could put the egg back into the nest without the mom rejecting?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

ok thanks. is there anyway i could put the egg back into the nest without the mom rejecting?

Birds have very poor sense of smell, so you should be able to just place it back in the nest no problem. Just be careful. If she's there she'll bite you something fierce! (And hit you with her wings).