Will We Have Ducklings on the Farm?

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you!

@Beccazon

 

[Isaac 0]

Here is Martha's shower from last night:

I just love your videos

 

[3bird]

26 June Update: So we now have a sixth egg. After being static at five since we first checked, this morning I saw a sixth egg. I guess this means we better start marking. Please share your best advice on marking, especially considering that the nest has only been left entirely unattended once since they started sitting (and that was days ago).

• What do you use to mark the eggs?
• How do you get in there if there is always a duck (or two) on the eggs?
• How important is it to return the eggs to exactly the same orientation?

Sorry for the noob questions, but, like I said at the outset, this is their (and our) first time!

Okay...on with the update. So we have a sixth egg. Stella (favorite aunt) got up off the nest last night and this morning for supervised free ranging. Martha did not get up even after Stella returned. Martha did get up midday yesterday for a swim and shower, and she ate a ton of greens. She was out for maybe 15 minutes, and Stella stayed on the nest the whole time.

This morning I did give Martha a little water while on the nest (already warm this morning), and she happily and eagerly drank. Is that a bad idea, as it discourages her from getting off the nest? There were two more eggs in the duckhouse this morning--one in the other established nest and one broken one (soft shell) in the middle. Everyone seems healthy and well.

From reading other threads, I think I may understand that we may have a problem with Stella and Martha possibly fighting over the ducklings (if any hatch). That is now part of our calculus as we plan for hatch.

 

[Isaac 0]

26 June Update: So we now have a sixth egg. After being static at five since we first checked, this morning I saw a sixth egg. I guess this means we better start marking. Please share your best advice on marking, especially considering that the nest has only been left entirely unattended once since they started sitting (and that was days ago).

• What do you use to mark the eggs?

Sharpie, a pencil wears off too fast when under a hen.

• How do you get in there if there is always a duck (or two) on the eggs?

I just stick my bard hand under, if you're afraid of getting hurt, wear some gloves/long sleeve shirt

• How important is it to return the eggs to exactly the same orientation?

Not important, just handle the eggs with care.


Sorry for the noob questions, but, like I said at the outset, this is their (and our) first time!

Okay...on with the update. So we have a sixth egg. Stella (favorite aunt) got up off the nest last night and this morning for supervised free ranging. Martha did not get up even after Stella returned. Martha did get up midday yesterday for a swim and shower, and she ate a ton of greens. She was out for maybe 15 minutes, and Stella stayed on the nest the whole time.

This morning I did give Martha a little water while on the nest (already warm this morning), and she happily and eagerly drank. Is that a bad idea, as it discourages her from getting off the nest? There were two more eggs in the duckhouse this morning--one in the other established nest and one broken one (soft shell) in the middle. Everyone seems healthy and well.

From reading other threads, I think I may understand that we may have a problem with Stella and Martha possibly fighting over the ducklings (if any hatch). That is now part of our calculus as we plan for hatch.

 

[3bird]

• What do you use to mark the eggs?

Sharpie, a pencil wears off too fast when under a hen.

• How do you get in there if there is always a duck (or two) on the eggs?

I just stick my bard hand under, if you're afraid of getting hurt, wear some gloves/long sleeve shirt

• How important is it to return the eggs to exactly the same orientation?

Not important, just handle the eggs with care.

Thank you! I had read somewhere that a sharpie could be problematic for health reasons, but you've had no problems? I'm not terribly worried about Martha hurting me. She eats and drinks from my hand while on the nest.

 

[3bird]

For marking eggs, I see that @The Angry Hen suggested china marker pencils like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017P1IP8/?tag=backy-20

 

[Beccazon]

Morning! I am dreaming kind of late. I am glad Miss Lydia pointed me to this thread. I also have two ducks sitting on one nest. Digger started the nest. Was on it nearly 2 weeks before Latte joined her. As soon as I saw that digger was on a nest, I watched her for a couple of days and when she finally came off one morning, I just put a quick X on each of the eggs that she was on. The next day when she came off I put an X on egg number six and the third day and ask on number seven. Every day there after I have removed any egg without an X. She didn’t come off the nest the next day at all so on day five there were a couple of eggs and I let them be but they got a check mark. 4 of the first 7 had great veining that day. Eventually 2 unfertile eggs were pulled. As are any eggs each morning when I open the duck coop and they all come out. Mom’s come out for about 15 min and they sit the rest of the 24 3/4 hours Digger is still the head mom but seems to enjoy Latte’s help lol. Both are first time broodies. Digger is s year old, Latte is near 8 months and from a hatch I had from my girls and incubated. I have had one suggestion to seperate for safety at hatch or incubate the last few days. Neither of those options seem easy. I feel that mom’s won’t be down for me stealing their eggs then giving them strange babies a few days later. If this was not my first time with a broody, I might try that. But I want to see this happen naturally. Breaking them up with separate nests and splitting eggs...afraid to stress them or break their broodiness snd lose all eggs I have chosen to hope one (likely Digger) takes control upon hatching and I have appropriate seperation in place to quickly keep her and ducklings safe. The duck coop and run are easily divided and a 2nd door is being cut out today for the rest of the flock to access the run.

Sounds like mine will hatch ahead of yours. Expecting around 4th of July here. I will update as able. Good luck to you! So glad I am not in this boat alone!

 

[Beccazon]

Also, I have and continue to candle quickly every morning. All have progressed perfectly. I might be off on dates and have a few earlier than I calculated but all are pretty close in gestation. If unsure of progress I marked with a “?”. One was off a bit to the side about a week ago and was cool to the touch. I penciled “cold” on it. She heated it back up and it is healthy with the others. Air sacs are now growing, so I mark that progression daily now. Simple markings but just want to keep track

 

[3bird]

Morning! I am dreaming kind of late. I am glad Miss Lydia pointed me to this thread. I also have two ducks sitting on one nest. Digger started the nest. Was on it nearly 2 weeks before Latte joined her. As soon as I saw that digger was on a nest, I watched her for a couple of days and when she finally came off one morning, I just put a quick X on each of the eggs that she was on. The next day when she came off I put an X on egg number six and the third day and ask on number seven. Every day there after I have removed any egg without an X. She didn’t come off the nest the next day at all so on day five there were a couple of eggs and I let them be but they got a check mark. 4 of the first 7 had great veining that day. Eventually 2 unfertile eggs were pulled. As are any eggs each morning when I open the duck coop and they all come out. Mom’s come out for about 15 min and they sit the rest of the 24 3/4 hours Digger is still the head mom but seems to enjoy Latte’s help lol. Both are first time broodies. Digger is s year old, Latte is near 8 months and from a hatch I had from my girls and incubated. I have had one suggestion to seperate for safety at hatch or incubate the last few days. Neither of those options seem easy. I feel that mom’s won’t be down for me stealing their eggs then giving them strange babies a few days later. If this was not my first time with a broody, I might try that. But I want to see this happen naturally. Breaking them up with separate nests and splitting eggs...afraid to stress them or break their broodiness snd lose all eggs I have chosen to hope one (likely Digger) takes control upon hatching and I have appropriate seperation in place to quickly keep her and ducklings safe. The duck coop and run are easily divided and a 2nd door is being cut out today for the rest of the flock to access the run.

Sounds like mine will hatch ahead of yours. Expecting around 4th of July here. I will update as able. Good luck to you! So glad I am not in this boat alone!

Thanks so much for all the detailed information! Great!

What did you use to mark the eggs?

Martha is much more committed than Stella, who will leave for a good 45 minutes at a time for supervised free-range time with the flock 2x/day. Martha just got up for about 15 minutes a few minutes ago. She gets a shower, goes for a swim, eats and then she is right back on the nest.

I saw on your thread the comment about potential problems with two moms. That's new information to us, so we are still processing. I think I like your approach.

 

[3bird]

Also, I have and continue to candle quickly every morning. All have progressed perfectly. I might be off on dates and have a few earlier than I calculated but all are pretty close in gestation. If unsure of progress I marked with a “?”. One was off a bit to the side about a week ago and was cool to the touch. I penciled “cold” on it. She heated it back up and it is healthy with the others. Air sacs are now growing, so I mark that progression daily now. Simple markings but just want to keep track

We should get a candler, I guess! I had one sitting in my Amazon cart, but I don't see it now. Which one do you use?