Broody duck and moving In 10 days

[Annie-S]

While I have read articles and posts on this site for a few years, this is my first post (so hello!).

I found one of my ducks sitting on a nest a couple of weeks ago. I found about 25 eggs in there so pulled about 10 cracked a few open and realized they were fertile. Ugh. So I put them in a egg carton and ordered an incubator and then placed them in it 4 days ago. I think they were sitting for 4 days. From the pictures I took this morning, are they progressing and can you estimate what day they are at? I think I have 5 viable eggs in the incubator.

Meanwhile, my duck has become quite the good brooder. She even hissed at me this morning when I got too close to her nest. We close on the 12th. We were thinking of asking the buyers if she and her flock of 3 could stay until they hatch (if they hatch). If you were a buyer, would you think that is totally weird? They are in a fenced in pasture but there could be a predator problem. And somebody would need to feed them. We are moving 1 hour away. The other option is to move her and the nest.

What would you do?

 

[Annie-S]

And just for entertainment, I have been talking about these duck eggs non stop. My husband might be tired of the conversation. Yesterday we lowered our boat to check it out and a goose flew out. She had a nest with 2 eggs on our cover.

My husband looked at me and said “what is it with you and all these eggs!?”

We put raised the boat and left. I guess the geese won.

 

[DuneDucks]

We were thinking of asking the buyers if she and her flock of 3 could stay until they hatch (if they hatch). If you were a buyer, would you think that is totally weird? They are in a fenced in pasture but there could be a predator problem. And somebody would need to feed them.

How big is the property? Do you know what (if any) plans the future owners might have? If someone is buying a property with a pasture and lake access then I don't think it would be too unreasonable to assume they want to take care of some animals/livestock. And would you be planning on returning on hatch and picking said ducks up? That's something you'll obviously want to discuss too.

Personally I wouldn't mind, but I do think that's more responsibility than some would care for, especially someone not particularly fond of animals. The only thing I'd really expect would be for you to leave an appropriate supply of food.

Either way I don't think it'll hurt to ask.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If it's possible to move her and the nest [place in a large box with holes cut to give fresh air ]she may be okay, then when you get to your new place give her a quiet place away from everyone but contained so she doesn't freak out they can be pretty persnickety about being moved but if she is nesting in a pasture I am betting those ducklings and possibly her will be eaten pretty quick. It's never safe to let them brood outside without protection.

 

[Annie-S]

The pasture is 1 acre fenced in with 2x4 no climb. There are shelter choices obviously ignored. The LGD is right next to the pasture and we had no problems this winter (unlike previous winters). But the LGD is moving with the sheep so if I leave her, predators are a concern. If I were not moving I would have those duckling inside a protected coop the minute they hatched.

If I choose to move them, I can put them inside a protected barn. My worry there is that she will abandon the eggs and I have never hatched eggs so completely lacking in skills. But I think I’ll plan for this and set up new digs for her in the barn.

 

[ruthhope]

If it were me. I would scoop up mamma duck and her nest into a box; cover the box and take her with me. Keep her quietly in an area protected from predators in your new abode. Your dog is great but is better protecting a secure duck coop rather than an outdoor nesting duck mama

 

[Annie-S]

Small update:

We put up a camera so we could watch the geese squatting on our boat. It is really uninteresting; she just sits there all day.

Miss pasture duck Is also doing well. I counted 12 eggs. We may move her this weekend; still working on her new safer home. Oh gah! Why can’t I rotate this?

Incubator eggs also seem okay. After reading every single incubation thread ever posted I’m guessing they are around day 14 (give or take 5).

 

[Annie-S]

I just wanted to swing by and give a quick update.

The squatter geese left their nest with one gosling. The other egg never hatched. I have seen the little goose family swimming around our cove so that has been cute.

We moved our broody duck and she immediately abandoned her eggs. I gave her a few hours but she was a no go. So the eggs went in the incubator.

I am now watching 14 eggs. 9 are from broody mom and 5 from the ones I pulled. I need to remove one as is looks bad and has chips on the shell. I see movement inside the eggs but since I never knew day 1 I’m just watching and waiting. My fingers are crossed that a few make it.

One of the eggs with confirmed movement.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I just wanted to swing by and give a quick update.

The squatter geese left their nest with one gosling. The other egg never hatched. I have seen the little goose family swimming around our cove so that has been cute.

We moved our broody duck and she immediately abandoned her eggs. I gave her a few hours but she was a no go. So the eggs went in the incubator.

I am now watching 14 eggs. 9 are from broody mom and 5 from the ones I pulled. I need to remove one as is looks bad and has chips on the shell. I see movement inside the eggs but since I never knew day 1 I’m just watching and waiting. My fingers are crossed that a few make it.

One of the eggs with confirmed movement.
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This is an interesting story, keep updating!

 

[Annie-S]

Bad picture but I may have a pip. I am in shock and this whole incubator thing is so freaking stressful. I really did not think I would get a hatch (still not counting on it) but they seem to be going for it.

Just to make it more exciting, I am leaving Saturday and these will be left in the care of my husband. He has already commented that the minute I leave the house is going to turn into Jurassic park.