What are the signs that hatching is near?

[LillyBantam]

I would think the first one should hatch from being laid if she has sat on them the whole time. Hens lay a clutch but necessarily sit on them until they've completed the clutch, so the due date is 21 days from then. however, if your duck has consistently sat from the first egg being laid then I would think it would be 28 days from first egg being laid, and the others owuld follow as and when their due day came... however I could be wrong, and would be interested to find out about this because a hen sitting on ducks eggs (first natural hatch for both the hen and myself) so I am learning as i go. I kept the duck eggs as they were laid then put them under the hen altogether so they should all have the same date.

Keep us posted jayjay, this hatching business is exciting... if not a little nerve racking. I'm dreaming and tossing and turning thinking about them all night!

 

[jayjay]

Another egg found out in the cold and smashed today. The inside was not recognisable as anything really. I checked the others and listened but no signs of anything yet. There was one i checked that is so light its like there is nothing inside at all. Iv'e gone from being really happy and excited to woundering if any will hatch or if she will just keep kicking them out one by one because something is wrong. I really don't know what to do now. I know this is my first time and i am learning but i cannot help feeling a bit down.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Another egg found out in the cold and smashed today. The inside was not recognisable as anything really. I checked the others and listened but no signs of anything yet. There was one i checked that is so light its like there is nothing inside at all. Iv'e gone from being really happy and excited to woundering if any will hatch or if she will just keep kicking them out one by one because something is wrong. I really don't know what to do now. I know this is my first time and i am learning but i cannot help feeling a bit down.

jayjay have you tried to candle? if not then when it's warm outside take a couple of the eggs inside into a dark closet and use a high powered flashlight and set it to the large end of the egg and see if you can see movement or if the egg seems full. The are some really good posts on egg candling that may help, i am awful at it. I'm sorry this hasn't turned out the way you hoped but maybe there is still hope. And you do count from the time she starts to sit consistantly .

 

[jayjay]

Thank you Miss Lydia.

Yes i have candled them but not for a few days. They are awfly full but i could not see movement. I dont like to disturb her because she is all covered in with straw. Such a good mum hardly ever comes off the nest. When i had a quick look this morning there was also an egg in there that had cracks in but the cracks were along the side of the egg not the end so i am assuming this may be thrown out to. Could it have been damaged. I really don't know what to think at the moment. The only thing i am hoping is that my dates were completely wrong and at least some will hatch this week.

I'm glad its the holidays at the moment because the children are excited and will be very upset if none of them hatch. I work in a school you see and this is a new farm area we have introduced and the children have really taken to it. They have learnt so much and love working with the ducks and chickens. Like myself they have become very attached. I will keep hoping. Thank you for your support, it really helps as i am learning to.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Miss Lydia.

Yes i have candled them but not for a few days. They are awfly full but i could not see movement. I dont like to disturb her because she is all covered in with straw. Such a good mum hardly ever comes off the nest. When i had a quick look this morning there was also an egg in there that had cracks in but the cracks were along the side of the egg not the end so i am assuming this may be thrown out to. Could it have been damaged. I really don't know what to think at the moment. The only thing i am hoping is that my dates were completely wrong and at least some will hatch this week.

I'm glad its the holidays at the moment because the children are excited and will be very upset if none of them hatch. I work in a school you see and this is a new farm area we have introduced and the children have really taken to it. They have learnt so much and love working with the ducks and chickens. Like myself they have become very attached. I will keep hoping. Thank you for your support, it really helps as i am learning to.

Well we're all pulling for ya'll here..

 

[jayjay]

Well i am sad to say that another egg was thrown out today. Smelt really bad. I checked the others and candled them. No movement, no sound and some were a little cold. I have to come to terms with the fact that none will hatch. Can't beleive 15 laid and not one is hatching.

How long should i leave her sitting on the rest? Even if my dates were a week out hatch day has certainly been and gone. Any ideas what i should do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

We're you going to keep these ducklings? the reason i'm asking is why can't you go to the TSC closest to you and buy 2-3 ducklings and tonight remove the eggs and slip the ducklings under her. That would make both of you feel better about this.

 

[jayjay]

We're you going to keep these ducklings? the reason i'm asking is why can't you go to the TSC closest to you and buy 2-3 ducklings and tonight remove the eggs and slip the ducklings under her. That would make both of you feel better about this.

Thats an idea, do you think she would take to other ducklings? In any case i am determine not to give up. I can always buy an incubator and try that way. Do you know how often this happens, none of the ducklings hatching. Is it common do you think or could there be other factors?

 

[LillyBantam]

Thats an idea, do you think she would take to other ducklings? In any case i am determine not to give up. I can always buy an incubator and try that way. Do you know how often this happens, none of the ducklings hatching. Is it common do you think or could there be other factors?

Yes she'll accept them I am sure, she is expecting hatch so wont know the difference I'd be interested to know if anyone thinks it would be better to slip them under her at night so she wakes up with them or could she leave them in the cold? Would it be better in the day so you can keep an eye on her? Def worth a go I'd say. x

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes she'll accept them I am sure, she is expecting hatch so wont know the difference I'd be interested to know if anyone thinks it would be better to slip them under her at night so she wakes up with them or could she leave them in the cold? Would it be better in the day so you can keep an eye on her? Def worth a go I'd say. x

If she does it at night she can stand by and make sure everything is go. but if you can do it during the day as smoothly as possible then try it, but i think it would work. Just slip the eggs out as you gently put the ducklings under her. Are you sure they were fertile? It happens sometimes that some don't hatch but for all of them not too makes me wonder if they were fertile. Please don't give up on your duck though, they make wonderful brooders and mothers and you'd miss an awesome experience. Just try the ducklings this time round. Let us know what you decide okay..

When you remove the egg I think you should open them so you can see what happened. Then you'll know if they were fertile or if something happened during incubation.