A Mallard ducks has been keeping a nest of eggs right by the front stoop of my house on a pretty busy street. Unfortunately, my daughter and I witnessed mama duck being hit by a car today. We now have the eggs in a home made incubator. Here's my problem... I have no idea how old the eggs are. Is there a good way of finding out? and any hints on how to keep up the humidity? Any advice is needed. I am a first time duck owner.
Farming Friends Forum » Ducks
Mallard duck eggs Help
(11 posts)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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Hi, im a new duck owner myself, im not sure but i think the only way of finding out how old the eggs are is by candling them, it not to difficult. I looked at varied pictures on the internet to check mine. Theres loads of great people on this site with loads of experience who im sure will give you more info. My eggs are due to hatch in two days, its so exciting. We have a baby mallard in a pen out in the garden during the day, hes about two and a half weeks old now, and hes doing fine. Good look with them.
kizzyPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi Mamaquack.
I'm sure Sara will be able to help you re the humidity levels. In the meantime, there are many useful hints on the internet.To both you and Kizzy, please be prepared for your mallards to fly off when they are ready. I took on a 3 year old mallard hybrid from someone who had kept the duck in a flat since a duckling. She reluctantly had to part with it as it was annoying a neighbour, but it didn't settle with my domestic ducks, became remarkably wild within the space of a couple of weeks and eventually took off into the sunset. If only she had been set free when she was 4 months old.
Sarah LSarah LPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi sara, when our little mallard is big enough to fend for himself i will let him go, the mortality rate with our duckling on the esk is very high, so anything i can do just to save one will be worth it, hes just a bit teeny just yet, but i agree they are wild and should be kept so.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hi mamaquack,
Welcome to the farmingfriends forum. I would candle the eggs to see the development of the embryo. I'll find some threads on here about candling and links for what to look for and add them later.
Humidity wise the incubator for mallard ducks should beHere is a guide to the humidity level http://farmingfriends.com/humidity-levels-for-egg-incubation/(wet bulb thermometer) for Mallard eggs = 84-88 degrees fahrenheit.
http://farmingfriends.com/raising-humidity-levels-in-an-incubator/ There are different ways to increase the humidity. If you wish to increase the humidity levels in the incubator then add more water to the water trays in the incubator. You could also try to increase the humidity levels in the room in which the incubator is. You may also need to regulate the temperature in the room in which the incubator is in so that the temperature in the incubator doesn’t get too high.
* add a jar or tray of water
* add a wet towelI believe that low humidity is caused by high temperatures which dry out the water trays in the incubator and help the humidity in the atmosphere evaporate.
Good luck with the eggs let us know how they get on. Good luck.
kind regards
sara @ farmingfriendsPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi Mamaquack, poor you for witnessing a duck being hit, that must have been awful, but you're brilliant for attempting to keep the eggs going and giving them a chance. This is a good forum for getting your questions answered so keep asking them and although I don't have any incubating experience lots of others do. Good luck
RachelRachelPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi, this is my first time trying to hatch ducks, i know they are alive but from what i read Mallards are one of the specied that are supposed to start piping around 19-21 days, is been 22 should i be worried about them yet? and is it ok to open the incubator to flip them at this time?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Matt 7 start a new post as it will be missed on this one .Really can't advise as never used an incy.Best wishes Mama .
Goose GirlPosted 1 year ago # -
sorry, but i saw that this one was about Mallards so i thought someone would be able to help, i did post the questions before i posted on this topic but nobody has gotten back to me
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted 1 year ago #
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Hi Matt I see you have been answered on another post. 28 days is the incubation time for all ducks except muscovy, which take up to 35 days. 21 days is for chickens
Sarah LPosted 1 year ago #
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