How long do Indian Runners take to hatch their eggs?

[Layke]

I have an Indian Runner that has been sitting on eggs in a nest for over 28 days now and nothing is happening. I read that some breeds take longer than others. Could this be the case for Indian Runners? If not, should we shoo her off and take the eggs away or will she eventually give up on her own. I'm starting to worry about her. She is so dedicated to these eggs that may have nothing alive in them. If they hadn't been fertilized wouldn't they start smelling? My husband says he can see the eggs when she leaves to eat and they are still bright white and looking good.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I have an Indian Runner that has been sitting on eggs in a nest for over 28 days now and nothing is happening. I read that some breeds take longer than others. Could this be the case for Indian Runners? If not, should we shoo her off and take the eggs away or will she eventually give up on her own. I'm starting to worry about her. She is so dedicated to these eggs that may have nothing alive in them. If they hadn't been fertilized wouldn't they start smelling? My husband says he can see the eggs when she leaves to eat and they are still bright white and looking good.

Did you not candle the eggs? Runners take 28 days, but there is always the possibility of a late hatch. Is she getting off her nest to eat/drink and everything?

 

[Layke]

No we did no candle the eggs. We didn't know to do that. Plus, her nest is not in a location that we can easily get into. We can only look from a far. We thought if you disturbed the eggs she would stop sitting on them. Yes, she is getting off her nest to eat and drink.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is she in a protected area so that when ducklings do hatch they won't be eaten by predators. No, she won't leave her eggs if you candle. Best way to know if any ducklings are going to hatch.

 

[Layke]

She is sitting on a nest amongst a growth of reeds on the edge of a large body of water in our back acre. The entire property is surrounded by a brick wall but coyotes have gotten in over the fence. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot we can do about it. However, the ducks have saved themselves many times by jumping in the pond so hopefully mom will teach the new ducks, if there are any, to do the same. In the meantime, even at this stage could we grab an egg when she is off and candle it? We would probably have to use our dingy to get to it. I was thinking if nothing has hatched by this Sunday we would just shoo her off and take the eggs. It would be well of 28 days by then.

 

[Texag87]

You have a rare duck there. I have never read on here about a runner going broody.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You have a rare duck there. I have never read on here about a runner going broody.

LOL, my Runners can barely stay sitting long enough to lay an egg when they are laying. A lot of times I find an egg lying on the ground by the water bucket or on the ground going up the hill. Too busy!

 

[BelovedBirds]

LOL, my Runners can barely stay sitting long enough to lay an egg when they are laying. A lot of times I find an egg lying on the ground by the water bucket or on the ground going up the hill. Too busy!

No time for sitting on eggs when there's water to splosh in and bugs to eat!

 

[Layke]

Alrighty then. I guess we will be rowing out to the nest to take a look. Super disappointed. Was hoping for baby ducks. My husband thinks she's doing it to get away from the Drake. LOL

 

[Miss Lydia]

Take a flash light and a towel take an egg or two put the towel over your head so you can put the flash light up to the fat end of the egg and see inside. let us know if you see anything