will she raise hatchling I "hatched"?

[StarCreek]

I had two duck hens sitting eggs. I didn't realize I had to mist the eggs and all the ducklings were dying without being able to get out of the membrane. I caught the final egg just as it had been pipped and over eight hours, oh so carefully helped the duckling out by gingerly taking off tiny pieces of egg while wetting the membrane -- which was super tough. I had one of the hens that was sitting on the eggs with me while I did it. She watched. When the duckling was almost entirely out of the egg, I put it in the nest and watched the momma duck as she went over into the nest and settled in just next to the hatchling.

Any odds on whether she will raise it ? Right now it is 90 F outside, but I'm worried to leave it with her in the shed overnight (it's very secure.) Does anyone think she'll keep it warm ?

My first home raised duckling. Welsh Harlequin.

 

[quackingdom]

If she had the patience to sit on them for a month to hatch them, she should take care of them as well. She should be fine. Leave her and the duckling alone but put some food and water nearby. You can check on them later if you’re worried.

In my experience, moms will usually do EVERYTHING themselves so I’m not sure where you read that they need to be misted or helped out. It’s normal for them to take 24 hours or more to come out and good moms take care of the humidity themselves.

 

[StarCreek]

Many, many thanks for the reply !

I was trying to determine why I was losing all my fully developed ducklings in the egg. They would break the shell, but couldn't get out of the membrane, which was like leather.

After much investigation, I was told that for this situation where the hens aren't swimming, that I need to mist the eggs with water. I read that as well in Mr. Holderead's book.

Next time, I will keep them with their pond.

 

[StarCreek]

I know this is going to sound completely ignorant. My apologies. The duck hen didn't want to stay in the nest with the duckling. I put two eggs in the nest and she ran back in there and settled down. Is she supposed to be sitting on top of the hatchling ? She seemed careful when she climbed in with the hatchling, but I didn't expect her to be on top of it.

Oh, goodness, I don't want to bother her to check on the duckling, but I'm worried she's going to suffocate it.

yes, first time duck owner -- obviously. I so don't want to have my last duckling die too.

 

[quackingdom]

Not a stupid question, I wondered at first, too. My duck mom sat on her babies too. I didn’t like that idea, either. I thought she might suffocate them. She didn’t. I guess she knows best…

 

[StarCreek]

Thank you, thank you, a million times over for you very kind reply and the relief. I cracked the door open to peek in and I heard peeping!!!

Wishing you and your ducks a very happy summer !