Duck sitting on eggs..how can I tell if they are fertile?

[firehog]

Ms. Quackette, my young duck has been sitting on about 16 eggs for a couple of weeks now. She has a single boyfriend, a Mallard and not sure what breed she is, a light tan with bluish color bill. They were having their romantic moments in the pool but not sure if different duck breeds can produce ducklings?

She is new at this and so am I so don't want to waste my and her time if they are dud eggs. How many weeks does it take for duck eggs to hatch. I think this is the 3rd week now where she is spending most of her time on the eggs. The first week she would sit on them just in the forenoon and presumably at night.

 

[Tanichca]

Candle them by shining a bright light through each individual egg at night. If the light shines straight through with no obstructions, it's a dud. If the light is stopped by a large, black mass, you have a baby! Mallard eggs take four weeks (28 days) to hatch, though, so you should know for certain very soon!

 

[buff goose guy]

ducks are like dogs as long as they are mallard derived they can produce fertile offspring. ( so wood ducks and mallard for example cannot have fertile offspring)

Well you can crack one open and there will be a white bullseyes thing ( basicly something white or white like in the yolk ) this is there for the first 2 days or you can leave them with mom and wait for growth and movement and veins should be very clear at about 2 and a half weeks with candeling.

 

[sourland]

What Tani said. Most likely they are fertile as all mallard derived breeds can mate and produce fertile eggs and offspring. Mallard/Muscovy crossing can produce fertile eggs, but the offspring will be infertile.

 

[firehog]

Thanks, I will shine a strong LED flashlight tonight and see. Feel sorry for Quackette, she is a first timer but is dedicated and it is so hot here, close to 100 but her nest box is on the ground in shade at least.