Solitary chicken - need advice

[shoesforpigeons]

Hi there,

 

we recently had a broody hen and decided after a while of trying to get her out of being broody to put some ducks eggs under her to see if her could hatch them. Officially they are due tomorrow (16.9.09) 28 days - but one of them has already hatched - we have already lost 3 and think that another one might not be going to make it as it looks a bit liquidly inside - but there is another one which looks promising - how long should I leave this egg under the chicken. Can ducks go overdue?

[Guest]

depends I believe which duck breed it is but I thought it was 30 -34 days,my Aylesburys hatched under a silkie by my neighbour. Her preferred method. No problem the chicken was a good duck mother.

 

Not sure about the eggs you have but if all is well I would leave it a bit longer.

 

Fingers crossed you will get one more at least for company for the other duckling

 

indie

[Lesley]

Campbells are 28 days - the ones I've just have hatch were days 27 and 28. I left the incubator on for another 4 days but the last few didn't hatch.

 

I would leave them for a couple of days - the hen will know if they're near to hatch and will look after them - if they're not then she will abandon them.

[shoesforpigeons]

thanks for your replies - the eggs were dead - and now my duckling is dead too - it got out from the nest to get somme food and water and couldn't get back in. very sad - but we have decided to try again next year - we have learnt alot from this and will hopefully get it right next time.

[Lesley]

Sorry to hear that - perhaps start agin next Spring.