How long can eggs wait on duck to start sitting?!

[suzy4027]

I'm starting this thread because I can't find info anywhere. Surely I'm not the only newbie that's wondering the same thing? Could just be searching the wrong words, idk.

My duck started laying on August 2nd. That egg and the one from the 4th are long gone and were quite delicious. I've broken 3(?) more along the way, to see if they're fertilized. One yes, one no. I think her 8-5 egg is still in there, but she's being so diligent about her nest, I hate to go digging in it and end up discouraging her.

How long can the eggs sit out there waiting on her to decide if she's gonna get it together?! Central Kansas in August are quite warm. Average has been somewhere in the '90's with some hotter days and a cold week or two. If we let them forage for 2-3hrs, she's away from them for the whole time, even when we had milder temps for several days. 70-80*. She's up to 20 eggs but they can't all be fertile. Some are the size of a chicken egg since she's only started laying. Both duck and Drake have been diligent about pooping in the same spot farthest away from the nest and the drake must be sleeping right next to her. They're so cute. ANYWAY! When do I start replacing them with fakes or golf balls? I don't want to wait until the 8-5 egg rots. Blech. The DH isn't thrilled at how many are in there so replacing them won't break any hearts. I hate to throw them all away, but I have a feeling that's what the advice will be. Can I do the float test to see if they're good? Not holding my breath for that one....

 

[suzy4027]

How cute is that?! She's clearly buried a bunch of them, hence my hesitation to dig around in there. Btw, the toy is a Minecraft plushie my daughter gave them when they were in the brooder. They still sleep with it. Well, at least the Drake does for now. Lol.

 

[needlessjunk]

You don't want her sitting on 20 eggs and there is no guarantee that she will do broody. That a lot of eggs and I doubt she is going to go broody at this point. I also would not a just started to lay duck to try to hatch those first eggs since there tends to be a few fart eggs/abnormal eggs and I wouldn't try to hatch those. With it starting to get towards fall do you really want duckling in cold weather? Say she sits on them now they would hatch in a month so that would be in Oct. do you get snow that early? I personally would wait till spring before encouraging her to sit. But she may not go broody, ever. It just depends on the duck.

 

[suzy4027]

Agreed! If she even DID get broody, I wouldn't be keeping any of the ducklings. Thought I'd call the extension office and see which 4-H chapter did the most poultry/waterfowl projects. Our state fair is next week and the fairgrounds are in our town. They have a TON of birds that show every year. 4-H also has a couple of shows there throughout the year.
I'll start taking the eggs out. I've been prepping my daughter for that inevitability. Lol. Guess I just toss them all? Even the ones on top of the pile? Seems like a shame, but it's not like I won't get any more!