Sorry, it appears I have posted in the wrong place I am new to the site.
I Would love to hatch some of my duck eggs but cannot afford an incubator, is it possible that someone would have a broody duck and we could share the hatchlings or would a chicken hatch them just the same?
Hi,Yes if you have a broody hen it will hatch duck eggs as I have done it .I sprayed the eggs with tepid water whilst the hen was off the nest as duck eggs need more humidity than hens .Do know though other members have bothered with spraying and still had a hatch.Mama
Thanks, did you mean others haven't bothered to spray with water but still had success?
I know someone who has a broody hen but she is yet to decide if I can borrow her hen as she doesn't want the bother of an aggressive hen by my giving her the eggs to hatch.
How long can it be before the eggs are put under the bird and still be viabkle for hatching, 24 hours or more?
Hi again having just seen your other post its possible your girls will go broody themselves soon and if possible ducks make the best broders for ducklings
Sorry ,that should have been haven't bothered with spraying and still had success. Eggs are viable for about a week but the fresher the better and once you are sure the hen is settled in, then put eggs under her. You could use fake eggs for a couple of days to make sure she is serious. Mama.
My girls are breeds that are not known to look after their eggs. Indian Runners and Cayugas x Aylesbury so I am not hopeful. They have been laying for a month now and not at all interested.
I know this is a silly question but you do have drakes too ? Mama
opps again im begging to differ not sure with the aylesbury being a cross but pure aylesburys will go broody and so should the runners these links should be helpful to you about both breeds and the egg colours
http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/ayls.htm
http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/ir.htm
Thanks for the links will look them up all I know is from the net I am very 'green' as yet. My two black boys are both Indian runners wonderful specimens unlike the white runners which we love just the same but are nothing like the pencil shape of the boys, Sydney and Spot.
By the way what a lovely site this is eveyone really seems to love their ducks I thought it was only a few who were really soft with them and that most people had them for meat.
the net is good but nothing beats talking to people who keep ducks and like you and me most on here keep them as pets and when it comes to being soft I take some beating lol
my oldest are just 2 years old and like you I was very green as you put it, but I have learnt alot from this forum and where my own are conserned by watching and spending lots of time with them, its great to be lucky enough to own ducks and when the time comes I hope to have chickens to and what I dont know already just by being a member here I know all I have to do is ask
and back to your point only been laying a month is that since winter or first time ever because if the latter the eggs shouldnt be used for a while for hatching anyway and give them time its only March so the true breeding is only just starting anyway
Hi duskhunter, My runners last year went broody and sat for 28 days, hatched the eggs then 2 days later left the ducklings, I don't think runners are really renowned for being good mums Mo. Don't know about Aylesburys, it's my first year with them.
If you're near Plymouth I'm not too far from you and we will be putting the incubator on in the next week, so I might be able to help you.
Sorry to disagree with you Mama, although the fresher the better - eggs are viable for at least 2 weeks. After all how could mummy duck lay 14 eggs and then sit on them if they weren't? And we have hatched eggs up to 3 weeks old.
Whatever you do duskhunter, you'll have great fun with ducklings.
KT
KT
was just coming back to say if you do want to incubate your self Sara who runs this site sells incubators and offers members a discount but Katys offer seems good and she has experience to
didnt know about the mum bit Katy but knew they should go broody, its a hard call sometimes between natural and incubating given the chance id always go natural...would just like the chance lol
Hi Katy I meant and should have said a week after the last one you take away and of course you are right .Seems I am having a silly day as missed that Duskhunter had males too as that was on another post .Mama
Hi duskhunter. If your ducks have only just started laying then they will be too young to be considering brooding their own eggs.
Wow, I am learning rapidly here.
The girls are laying for the first time, we are absolutely thrilled and I tell them how clever they are each morning.
When I let them out they make a bee line for the field my miniature rescue Shetland ponies are in presumably because there will be bugs and grubs for them there. They systematically 'work' the field necks outstretched close to the ground. They form a line across the field making sure the don't miss an inch.
I grow a huge amount/variety of plants to sell on eBay to help fund the rescue animals so I am looking forward to them helping with the slug and snail population but will they eat all the worms and good grubs too? They had a fest on leatherjackets the other week when I had to move some crocuses growing under my washing line. It takes me at least twice as long to do gardening nowadays as the ducks are right on top of the spot I am digging, they are not the slightest bit bothered if I lift them with the fork!
You say about cleaning the pond. Ours has sprung a leak although the line is guaranteed 25 years and is only 18 months old but it is 38 meters across a large area to clean.
Does anyone know how to repair liner I can see two little holes which think must have been made when the duck house sank in a storm. The ducks never used it till it sank now they sit on the roof!
Katy, are you near Plymouth UK because I would love to take you up on your offer of help with the propagator please that is so kind.
Many thanks, Angela
LOL ,Angela they will eat almost everything in bug land and so good for the garden .Yes you can get butyl patches and special glue as we did it with a fish pond we had but to honest would contact the supplier and they may help.Post the link to Ebay ,maybe some members would be interested in your plants .Sure Katy will be able to help if you both live near to each other .Good luck and happy learning as we all have done .Mama
Thanks, I have never done a link before not sure how to do it.
I am under duskhuntercottageplants eBay
Forgot to say one egg I cracked open last night for tea was very bloody with a large blood spot on the yolk. Does this mean it was fertilised?
No it doesn't mean it's fertile just a ruptured blood vessel.I don't eat them not for a health reason just a bit off putting .A fertile egg looks no different at first as will hear on here . There will be a link on here to show you how to tell but am not good at sharing from here but can share other links .Mama
Angela, I'm in just outside Torquay so I am sure we can arrange something.
What is the pond liner? and do you have any spare bits? If so it's easy to bond a patch and it will work. TOH says it's an under water adhesive you can buy in aquarium shops.
KT
lol sorry NO have to say if it only takes you twice as long to do the gardening...you havnt got enough ducks lol
and yes a good water/fish shop can sell underwater adesive ive used it myself x
No-one has ENOUGH ducks!!!!
KT
so true Katy lol x
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