[Fifitrix]

So like I haven't got enought time on my hands and Rob, this is ALL your fault for your very addictive blog!!!!      

I got a phone call from a friend on Friday to say that her husband had disturbed a mallard duck on her nest at his boatyard.  She hadn't come back so he'd decided to take the eggs and keep them warm in his airing cupboard.  My friend is now asking if I'd have them as I aparently know all about egg hatching.  :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

Firstly I don't have the incubator anymore as I gave it back and it's now full again.

I don't know how far on they are but I could candle them.

I've been away for the weekend so my friend has kept them in her airing cuboard and turned them.

Am I wasting my time?  Should I take them and give them a go?  Although I have no idea how to make shift an incubator.

Any ideas gratefully received.      

[peggyprice]

Not at all sure about the ethics/legality of taking wildfowl eggs - surely if he'd left the nest alone the mum would have come back when the coast was clear?

However, on the basis that it's not your fault and the damage is already done, have a look here http://www.homemadeincubator.co.uk/  (and there are lots of other sites with instructions on as well if you google 'home made incubators'.)

What will you do with them if they do hatch though?  (I know this really nice little wildfowl sanctuary in Lincolnshire, not been going long but I hear the inhabitants are spoiled rotten     )

[poultrygeist]

:shock:

[too many girls]

oh Rob,  your face..............

[poultrygeist]

Just let them go when they're abotu 2 weeks old. they'll find their own way here. Everythign does eventually  :?

Like I don't want it to  

Rob  

[Fifitrix]

Rob, maybe I should just mail you the eggs?!!!      

Thanks for that too Peggy.  I don't know about why they took the eggs but I'm figuring I don't want to do just nothing. :roll:

[peggyprice]

Thanks for that too Peggy.  I don't know about why they took the eggs but I'm figuring I don't want to do just nothing. :roll:

I'd be the same - there's something fundamental about trying to give something the best chance of life - and what's the worst that can happen?  You build yourself an incy and tell the rest of us how to do it  

[Fifitrix]

Well just thought I'd let you know that having gone to bed reading about how to build my self an incubator and being all geared up with a cool box ready (yes aparently you can do that!).  The friend called this morning to say they'd been candling the eggs and they looked so healthy and alert that they wanted to keep them themselves.  :roll:

Probably for the best as I've got enough on my hands.  :roll:   Still, would have been fun.  :?

Thanks for your advice anyway.  

[poultrygeist]

i think you've probably been spared a bit more worry there !

But maybe another time. If you can solve your cat problem and get a paddling pool, they are certainly entertaining.  

Rob  

[Fifitrix]

Oh I have a pond all waiting and ready to go    but the cat problems enough to curb my enthusiasm for now  :roll:

[poultrygeist]

If there's one thign that'll attract a cat's attention, it's ducklings. They cheep constantly and our cat shows minor interest even though she knows she can't get to them easily.

I think you're wise to sort that one first.  

Rob