When should I put a safety hole in a call duck egg?

[Cheems]

As long as the navel is closed and it's active, it's okay for the brooder!

Ok! In it goes!

 

[Cheems]

Duckling Pictures!

 

[Painted Calls]

Duckling Pictures!

So much cuteness!

 

[Cheems]

So much cuteness!

I am honestly REALLY shocked at how the ducklings are with the new ducklings, ive seen ALMOST no aggression or anything like that. They perfectly fit in with them, although they are so much smaller lol. I have been really happy with how they treat eachother. Even with the 2 week old difference with hatchlings, it has gone so smoothly. ONLY time I saw anything happen is when I first introduced the first new duckling, when one of the larger ones (pastel) kinda was nibbling at the duckling gently, but it only lasted a second and as far as ive seen, and for my observations of them, it never happened again. They showed interest at first but now they are just part of the flock/group.

 

[Painted Calls]

I am honestly REALLY shocked at how the ducklings are with the new ducklings, ive seen ALMOST no aggression or anything like that. They perfectly fit in with them, although they are so much smaller lol. I have been really happy with how they treat eachother. Even with the 2 week old difference with hatchlings, it has gone so smoothly. ONLY time I saw anything happen is when I first introduced the first new duckling, when one of the larger ones (pastel) kinda was nibbling at the duckling gently, but it only lasted a second and as far as ive seen, and for my observations of them, it never happened again. They showed interest at first but now they are just part of the flock/group.

We need some happy group pics!

 

[Cheems]

We need some happy group pics!

yeah! I will take some today, I have to do a few things this morning but I will send some pictures of the group once im done!

 

[Cheems]

There is a quite noticeable size difference, but they have been doing SO good and I havent noticed any agression at all recently, although ive been paying more attention recently, and heres what I have to say about the pastel one spinning in circles

She/he tends to spin in circles when he/she is scared or happy or any type of excitement.
Pastel also only does circles for like, a few moments, no movement of her/his neck and
seems to just be running in circles. It doesnt effect him/her in any other way as far as ive seen, and it doesnt seem to bother pastel when she/he spins.

Also dont pay attention to the boxes lol, we just moved not too long ago

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I'm way late..
But anytime I've put one in a bowl due to open navel I've never used anything damp I just put them on a clean Kleenex or paper towel.
And that's probably not even necessary I just do it because it keeps them calmer and from flipping on their back and not flopping around if they're kind of huddled up in there.
I would be afraid that putting them on anything damp might chill them too much.

 

[Painted Calls]

I'm way late..
But anytime I've put one in a bowl due to open navel I've never used anything damp I just put them on a clean Kleenex or paper towel.
And that's probably not even necessary I just do it because it keeps them calmer and from flipping on their back and not flopping around if they're kind of huddled up in there.
I would be afraid that putting them on anything damp might chill them too much.

Good point! For future reference though, would you recommend coating the navel in neosporin first?

 

[Cheems]

@Overo Mare Do the ducklings kinda grow into their bill? I dont really care if they do or not, but I did plan to show 1-2 of them, I dont really care if I win, I just want to get started in showing call ducks so its not a big deal if they are pet/breeder quality, but ive noticed their bills have gotten larger proportionate to their head from when they were just hatched.

I put a picture of the white call duckling, and one of the snowy call ducklings, I put the picture of the snowy to show how the white call ducklings bill has gotten larger from when he/she was just a few days old. They are adorable no matter what and it wont change my opinion, although it would be nice to know if I could expect for any of them to be a bit more on the breeder/show quality side, although im perfectly happy with pet quality