We've got embryos!

[TheDaringDucks]

I'm so excited! I've been waiting for this for weeks I finally have some embryos! After losing 17 eggs to a malfunctioning incubator I was really sad that I might not get ducklings this year. I decided to let nature handle the rest of the eggs I had gathered and let my broody duck hens incubate for me instead.

Just look at this! AH I'm so happy!

I gave my girls 24 eggs between them, and they've been such good lil incubator mamas. Can't say for sure how many are fertilized, because I only checked a couple (didn't want to disturb the nest too much), though I did have one or two that were unfertilized.

Should I remove the ones that have nothing developing? Is it harmful to leave them in the nest? Would the duck hen miss them or abandon the nest if I were to remove the unfertilized eggs?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Hooray! Such great news

After 1-2 weeks of incubation, I would candle all of the eggs while mama is off the nest and remove the undeveloped ones.

I believe if she doesn’t see what you’re doing, she’ll resume incubation like normal. You could also remove the eggs slowly over a few days if you wanted, too.