Ducks - Nesting & Cleanliness

BGD · « **on:** August 17, 2012, 13:36 »

Hi all

We are recent new owners of three ducks, one is a drake.

After some pleading by the children we have left the eggs in the hutch/coop and now one of the females, today seems to have taken to nesting/sitting on them. Annoyingly I thought she never would so have just taken deliver of 6 additional nesting eggs..

My question is (as they are quite shy and scatter from us) how do I go about feeding this one and keeping the coop clean?

When the duckling(s) (if they actually do) are born after many weeks, do I take them inside for warmth?

I'd appreciate a steer. I have just purchased Storey's Guide but am fiendishly busy at work with many hour days..so looking for a general answer and will read up when I have a moment.

Many thanks

Ben

yacks · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2012, 17:21 »

One of my ducks sat on eggs for a few weeks ... She was skittish before sitting however sinceUlf day she started she stands her ground lol was able to clear the coup where she was not laying and soon told me when I was in there to long ... She only came out 2 time's a day first thing in morning and last thing at dusk ... Would make lots of noise as if to keep lo touch with eggs eat really fast drink the same quick dip in water back to eggs ... Will say it did get really hot in coup so watered the roof to cool her down ... I am sure someone will know more ... My ducks out come was nothing poor thing x

BGD · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2012, 10:41 »

Thanks Yacks. Yes, she came out briefly yesterday so perhaps I can go in and clean during one of those times or else it'll get very smelly, fly blown! Just di not want to disturb the process. Perhaps I should leave some parts open when she does for airflow - very hot at present..

wildwitchy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2012, 14:03 »

When one of my ducks went broody a few years ago, I just got her out (picked her up if she wasn't forth coming!!!) and cleaned quickly. Kept some of the old bedding (like feathers etc) the eggs were on. She'll go back on them afterwards. She might not like it but thats it!!!

They will quack like mad and probably hiss but they do. Put some gloves on if you're worried she may nip you, they dont really hurt though. Not like geese. The mother duck will usually take care of the ducklings, like hens.

Casey76 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2012, 10:48 »

I'm sorry, but I have to ask why you are wanting your duck to sit when you have only had them a short while?

It is getting quite late in the season to hatch.

The incubation period for ducks is 28 days.

What breed of ducks do you have? You should be aware that many ducks don't make good mothers, and it is possible she will give up sitting half way through.

The eggs that your ducks layed, have you checked them for fertility? How long did you leave them in the nest before your duck decided to sit? If you have fertile eggs arriving, I would be tempted to remove all of the eggs from the nest which are more than one day old and just put the bought eggs under her.

wildwitchy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2012, 13:29 »

I've got friends with ducks & as said i've had broody ducks. Never had any problems with them being mums. If they do abandon the eggs then perhaps let nature take its course. Afterall, ducks must do a pretty good job of being mothers-theres plenty in the wild.

If there's signs of mom not bothering with after they've hatched, PM me and i'll help you as ive hand reared ducks and goslings and chicks very successfully. It's hard work but they've been ok. Be positive and try not to worry. (and I worked too).

Kate and her Ducks · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2012, 22:14 »

It is very late in the season to be letting a duck sit but and it is unusual for ducks to go broody this late in the year. Then again one of mine has also decided she is too so I guess they make their own minds up!

You need to decide if you are set up for a broody. If she lasts the course and does hatch then even this late in the year she shouldn't have a problem keeping them warm and safe providing her mothering instincts kick in. Many domestic breeds are pretty terrible mums but they can also surprise you. If you decide to let her sit then you need to be set up for when she hatches and have a run and house set up where you can keep them separate from the others who may take against the ducklings and kill them (particularly the drake). You also need to be set up for if she abandons them and you have to take them in so a cage / box and heat lamp!

BGD · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2012, 22:35 »

Quote from: Casey76 on August 19, 2012, 10:48

I'm sorry, but I have to ask why you are wanting your duck to sit when you have only had them a short while? It is getting quite late in the season to hatch. The incubation period for ducks is 28 days. What breed of ducks do you have? You should be aware that many ducks don't make good mothers, and it is possible she will give up sitting half way through. The eggs that your ducks layed, have you checked them for fertility? How long did you leave them in the nest before your duck decided to sit? If you have fertile eggs arriving, I would be tempted to remove all of the eggs from the nest which are more than one day old and just put the bought eggs under her.

Hi Casey, just seen this, been waylaid with work of late.

I agree quite late, it's pretty cold at present for instance. I think the answer to that was in my first post above - we've had the ducks a couple of months, they were adults in coming to us and are always making sure they are twenty feet away from humans and so the kids pestered to see whether ducklings might be an option, so they develop with more regular human company/more socialised.

It's all new, mistakes will be made etc

BGD · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2012, 22:40 »

Quote from: Kate and her Ducks on August 19, 2012, 22:14

It is very late in the season to be letting a duck sit but and it is unusual for ducks to go broody this late in the year. Then again one of mine has also decided she is too so I guess they make their own minds up! You need to decide if you are set up for a broody. If she lasts the course and does hatch then even this late in the year she shouldn't have a problem keeping them warm and safe providing her mothering instincts kick in. Many domestic breeds are pretty terrible mums but they can also surprise you. If you decide to let her sit then you need to be set up for when she hatches and have a run and house set up where you can keep them separate from the others who may take against the ducklings and kill them (particularly the drake). You also need to be set up for if she abandons them and you have to take them in so a cage / box and heat lamp!

Thanks for the tips kate. Oddly at present, after a week or two of just one, now all three ducks are spending half the day in the coop. Have looked into heat lamp and polystyrene box options / off-the-shelf ones. The breed is Khaki Campbells.

BGD · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2012, 22:41 »

Quote from: wildwitchy on August 19, 2012, 13:29

I've got friends with ducks & as said i've had broody ducks. Never had any problems with them being mums. If they do abandon the eggs then perhaps let nature take its course. Afterall, ducks must do a pretty good job of being mothers-theres plenty in the wild.

If there's signs of mom not bothering with after they've hatched, PM me and i'll help you as ive hand reared ducks and goslings and chicks very successfully. It's hard work but they've been ok. Be positive and try not to worry. (and I worked too).

Thanks Wildwitchy!

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Ducks - Nesting & Cleanliness

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