Claire Camsell Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Daisy, our female duck had, we thought, stopped laying eggs a couple of weeks ago. We have just discovered that she has in fact been very busy laying eggs and arranging them in a nest which she has now started sitting on. This is our first year of having pet ducks and we are a bit concerned that these eggs will hatch just as the weather turns really nasty, which is presumably not good for ducklings. If needs be, we could house the ducklings in our garage for the worst months of winter. Getting the ducks to a good home is not a problem as a friend has some land complete with a small lake. However, in my experience, you see ducklings in the spring, not the winter, or is it just that I don't see them until they are several months old? Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 If they have somewhere warm to go such as the garage then they should be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 13, 2007 Share Posted October 13, 2007 I would think that although it is a bit late, that they will be fine where they are. They will have a mother duck to look after them. Ducks don't always make good mothers we were told, but ours has now hatched two broods, one last year and one this summer. If the weather stays reasonable for their first few weeks then I wouldn't worry. They start feathering up at around 4 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I wouldn't worry about them at all providing the mother is happily looking after them, she will make sure they're warm etc etc we were told Indian Runners were the worst parents of all but ours has been a brilliant mum ... to the point of violence!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Camsell Posted October 25, 2007 Author Share Posted October 25, 2007 Thanks everyone, She's still sitting happily on her eggs, covering them up carefully whenever she leaves the nest....it's poor old Luke we feel sorry for, he misses her a lot and spends his time lying next to the eglu of squished up inside it next to the nest! Daisy started sitting on or around 11th october so we await our new babies with great excitement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Do be prepared to separate the drake when the ducklings hatch - both times, our drake has tried to kill the babies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 good point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Camsell Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Babies hatched today!! they're gorgeous, we have 6 so far but one is poorly so is off to the vets later will see how he gets on. Thanks for all help and advice....wish us luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hope all goes well Claire! - photos soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...