The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Lavinia on December 29, 2009, 02:13:07 pm

Title: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 29, 2009, 02:13:07 pm
Hi

As i have a December birthday my beautiful son has given me an incubator for a joint Christmas/birthday present. It has 18 Khaki Campbell duck eggs in it, well until last night. I did my first candling after much intensive research on the internet. i found a great site that showed a video of a lady candling here eggs. Three were clearly infertile so i have removed them we are now on day 12 of incubation and I'm soooooo excited that we might have ducklings in January (roughly 14th). Would it be possible to bug you all for advise along the way.

Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 29, 2009, 02:26:56 pm
What a great present. I have incubated duck eggs many times and it is a wonderful experience, good luck and enjoy as they grow so fast. Please feel free to ask advice, If I can help I will.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 29, 2009, 03:33:45 pm
thanks this is the first time i have incubated any birds, the incubator instructions say that i need to fill one well at the bottom every 3 days (brinsea octagon Eco 20) but always seems really low so i have been doing it now about every 2 1/2 days. I'm afraid to open it too often, as i have to lift out the tray of eggs to get to the water.....we have only got 2 ducks so I'm looking forward to having more. They are both khaki campbells as well.  Is 15 out of 18 a good fertility rate for this time of year...
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 29, 2009, 03:37:14 pm
I think 15 out of 18 is good at any time of the year. The only advice I would give you is, I see you stay in Mid Lothian, well I was tolf that in Scotland you do not add water. The first few attempts I had I added water as the instructions said and had a very low success rate. As soon as I added only a drop of water at day 1 I had superb success.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Rosemary on December 29, 2009, 05:21:05 pm
I have also been told not to add water (in Scotland) as humidity is high enough.

Good luck - very exciting.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 29, 2009, 05:33:05 pm
oops  have been adding water since day one, will have to see how this lot goes, i was hoping to at least end up with ten maybe that was a bit adventurous. Feel slightly deflated....
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 29, 2009, 05:36:59 pm
Don't be, you never know you may still do very well. Your first time is always a worrying one, but practice makes perfect they say. I have had quite a few hatchings that have been 100% successful. I am now thinking of incubating a few Shetland Geese eggs which is exciting.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 30, 2009, 11:29:25 am
do you think i should reduce the amount of water in them for the remaining time or just stick to the instructions and see what happens?????
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 30, 2009, 11:37:56 am
I would stop to be honest. I put the eggs in and switch the incubator on, it is fully automatic and then on day 15 if I remember I take each egg out and spray it with room temperature water and leave it for ONLY 15 minutes before returning the eggs to the incubator. I once forgot and that was a disaster.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: little blue on December 30, 2009, 07:03:25 pm
Heehee, good news on getting your dream present Lavinia!
Keep us posted.
Any reason you started with ducks?  Just wondered.  (Haven't got mine yet, too many unexpected crises over the last few weeks.. but if the Insurance company get a shift on I've been promised an incubator for the spring!)
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 30, 2009, 07:07:05 pm
little blue i think i must have missed something, i don't know about "the crisis"????

will not put any more water in, thanks you James
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 30, 2009, 07:10:45 pm
Oh Little Blue

No real reason for starting with ducks only that we love duck eggs and i have to buy them so would like a flock of my own. We already have enough Chickens, i think (not sure)...

can't wait hope i get some to hatch and that it hasn't been a total disaster. Just shows that forum's work. This has been the first one i have ever wrote on....

Lavinia
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: CameronS on December 30, 2009, 07:18:37 pm
Quote
I was tolf that in Scotland you do not add water

Is that the same for hens eggs then?
I'm going to be using a Brinsea Mini Advance fully auto,
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 30, 2009, 07:21:42 pm
I would imagine so Cameron.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: little blue on December 30, 2009, 10:09:57 pm
No real reason for starting with ducks only that we love duck eggs and i have to buy them so would like a flock of my own. We already have enough Chickens, i think (not sure)...
Lavinia

Why, how many is 'enough' chickens??!! I'd have thought theres aways enough room for just a few more...

I'd like to hatch duck eggs, just to watch the ducklings grow.  But we couldnt really keep them here for several reasons, german shepherd being the main one!

No, you've not missed anything, I've not moaned on here yet as I'm still abit sensitive... lets just say its been one thing after another and we are out of pocket £300, owed £100 and have spent christmas 'nursing' and now hospital visiting.  Grrrr, so much for a holiday!

(sorry, I've hijacked your post!)

Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on December 31, 2009, 08:53:42 am
no one owns a post they are just the starters of a bundle of info for everyone to tap into little blue so don't worry about it.......  maybe you could come see our little ducklings when and if they arrive. It might cheer you up!!! Didn't mean to pry......  take care and take one day at a time

lavinia
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 31, 2009, 01:53:51 pm
Oh dear, we are still knee deep in snow and after reading all this and watching the repeats of Victorian Farm and Fly Away Home I'm going broody again! I discussed with the girls which way we are going to try this year. Natural and try to move the duck to a safe place once broody (catch the buggers first!), wait until a hen gets broody and do the same (so far I'm not convinced those hens actually can lay ANY eggs themselves). Or ask a kind friend with an incubator to do it again  ;D ? Decisions, decisions  :&>
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: doganjo on December 31, 2009, 06:52:38 pm
Quote
Or ask a kind friend with an incubator to do it again

Are you a member of Central Scotland Smallholders Association?  If not, this little bird thinks it might be a good idea.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: northfifeduckling on December 31, 2009, 08:48:01 pm
Thanks, dear birdie! I meant to since Rosemary came up for the talk !  :&>
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: little blue on December 31, 2009, 09:53:53 pm
no one owns a post they are just the starters of a bundle of info for everyone to tap into little blue so don't worry about it.......  maybe you could come see our little ducklings when and if they arrive. It might cheer you up!!! Didn't mean to pry......  take care and take one day at a time

lavinia

Thankyou, you're very kind.
One day, I'm going to come up and stay in James' and Kenny's hotel, and gatecrash a CSSA meeting... with a badge on saying 'Little Blue' !! x
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: doganjo on December 31, 2009, 10:11:06 pm
You don't have to go that far North - at the moment CSSA meetings are usually held in Clackmannanshire.  In case anyone doesn't know CSSA and TAS are different things.  A lot of us are members of both.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on December 31, 2009, 10:15:18 pm
You don't have to go that far North - at the moment CSSA meetings are usually held in Clackmannanshire.  In case anyone doesn't know CSSA and TAS are different things.  A lot of us are members of both.

Remind me Annie never to offer you a job as sales manager for us, ha ha only kidding. Little Blue you would be more than welcome any time. :)
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: little blue on December 31, 2009, 10:32:13 pm
 :D
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: doganjo on January 01, 2010, 10:27:26 am
You don't have to go that far North - at the moment CSSA meetings are usually held in Clackmannanshire.  In case anyone doesn't know CSSA and TAS are different things.  A lot of us are members of both.

Remind me Annie never to offer you a job as sales manager for us, ha ha only kidding. Little Blue you would be more than welcome any time. :)

Oops, blown that opportunity, haven't I? :-*  Didn't mean to put anyone off, James - you know how much I love your hotel and wonderful food.  I'll be up with at least some of teh family very soon.  Just haven't been able to get them all together on the same day!
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: HappyHippy on January 01, 2010, 11:51:33 am
Thankyou, you're very kind.
One day, I'm going to come up and stay in James' and Kenny's hotel, and gatecrash a CSSA meeting... with a badge on saying 'Little Blue' !! x
I'm no good with advice about hatching  ::) - BUT, I'm hoping to get down to Nottingham in the next few months to see my sister for a couple of days. Maybe the East Midlands contingent would like to meet up for another wee TAS get together ? - I really enjoyed the last one in Glasgow and it's my New Year's resolution to get out more !  ;) ;D ;D ;D Would be great to meet more fellow TASers !
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on January 01, 2010, 12:21:12 pm
You don't have to go that far North - at the moment CSSA meetings are usually held in Clackmannanshire.  In case anyone doesn't know CSSA and TAS are different things.  A lot of us are members of both.

Remind me Annie never to offer you a job as sales manager for us, ha ha only kidding. Little Blue you would be more than welcome any time. :)

Oops, blown that opportunity, haven't I? :-*  Didn't mean to put anyone off, James - you know how much I love your hotel and wonderful food.  I'll be up with at least some of teh family very soon.  Just haven't been able to get them all together on the same day!

Annie I was only teasing, I know you were too.

Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on January 01, 2010, 03:24:55 pm
James

What is the name of your hotel, i worked at Leuchars in my army days.  I was a housing officer and dealt with some of there houses up there, don't worry never was let loose with any dangerous weapons..... lol
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on January 01, 2010, 03:26:30 pm
James

What is the name of your hotel, i worked at Leuchars in my army days.  I was a housing officer and dealt with some of there houses up there, don't worry never was let loose with any dangerous weapons..... lol

Its the Guardbridge Hotel, next door to Leuchars. We have now been here 3 years and think it a great place to be.
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: little blue on January 01, 2010, 06:38:20 pm
I'm no good with advice about hatching  ::) - BUT, I'm hoping to get down to Nottingham in the next few months to see my sister for a couple of days. Maybe the East Midlands contingent would like to meet up for another wee TAS get together ? - I really enjoyed the last one in Glasgow and it's my New Year's resolution to get out more !  ;) ;D ;D ;D Would be great to meet more fellow TASers !

As a Midlands TASer, I say Yes! That'd be great...
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on January 01, 2010, 06:47:39 pm
James

i think you should have a Tas weekend where we all could have sometime away after the weather gives us a break..............
Would have to be diet food on the menu...lol.....

Laivnia
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: jameslindsay on January 01, 2010, 07:17:50 pm
James

i think you should have a Tas weekend where we all could have sometime away after the weather gives us a break..............
Would have to be diet food on the menu...lol.....

Laivnia

Anytime  :) :)
Title: Re: Ducks sooo excited but in need of advice
Post by: Lavinia on January 01, 2010, 07:22:54 pm
James your a star, right now sounds good. Not having the best of days no sympathy needed 5 glasses of wine last night with pals and a demanding child looking for attention today... doesn't go well together, but tomorrow will be better......  I promise i will visit soon....i bring pictures of the ducklings what a great excuse!!!

 :&> :&> :&>