The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jameslindsay on April 21, 2010, 01:15:52 pm
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I found one of my call ducks sitting in some old straw this morning and when I went and had a closer look she has laid 2 eggs in a nest shape. The only problem is this is out on the open so if she chose to sit she would not be safe during the night. She is not sitting just now, any advice?
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Hi - I've had the same problem for the last two years - however good the pens are - on the 3rd upgrade!! I've always found some determined to nest away from everyone and have lost 1 female each year - not through trying but they get very crafty. I did have success last year of letting the duck lay all the eggs and then as soon as she started to sit on them, moved the whole lot into a next box and she stayed. I did want to invent a vented concrete dome to put over any determined one - thought that may protect them at night but not got to that yet. If she had laid 2 eggs you still have a wee bit of time - mine lay 8-12 before sitting.
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When I let them out this morning she was desperate to get out of the run and into her "nest". She has spent ages tidying it up and getting it the way she wants. The straw she has chosen is actually in a black bin liner, it was about to be disposed of. Can I safely move this bag in to their pen area without putting her off?
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I think - just from the few times I've tried - when they are laying and determined to sit, she will dash out to check everythings ok, sit for a while, lay another egg, tidy up a bit, cover it a wee bit and go off for the day in her usual routine - if she has her clutch (my girls seem to wait for absolute minimum of 4 but we also had one that waited till 12 eggs!! and she hatched them all) then she will sit on the nest all day and night with only a couple of breaks of about 10 mins to eat, drink and a quick swim. If she's sitting on the eggs all day today then I would give it a go this evening when you put her in - it's worth a go to me. It's not nice but I would rather loose a few eggs than the lovely ducks we have. I have done this and it's worked, she sat straight way on them no problem, but also had one nutter that scattered all the eggs all over the place and didn't approve at all - not sure what goes on in their heads - but I guess they don't know what I'm thinking either - good luck - ducklings are just great - best get all the extra feeder and water container down from the goat house loft!!
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When I went out a few minutes ago to see if she was sitting I found one of the other call ducks sitting on the nest, is this normal or do you think they are simply going there to lay their daily egg? It does seem strange though as they normally lay before I let them out about 7.00am.
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I only just now noticed this post, James. What has been happening since? :&>
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Well Kerstin it is very bizarre. As you know I have the 3 call ducks I bought at the auction we went to. Well, all 3 of them seem to be using the same nest and this morning there were 2 of them sitting at the same time!!!! I looked yesterday and there were 5 eggs and I am sure they are not just using this new place as a place to lay as they do sit for long periods of time. If the eggs are fertilised they will be crossed with Aylesbury as they are the only Drakes I have now, so will be exciting to see the end product. My female goose seems to be spending more and more time on her eggs now too so before you know it we will be over run with young uns - oh I hope!
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It looks like you want this to happen, James. But - even if the nest is outside their safe area (at night) they will want to sit during the night soon, which I think is very dangerous. We had pheasants nesting in the garden for 2 years and they all got taken at the end, just before the eggs hatched, presumably by a fox at night. But if they don't sit through because the mums go in at night they will not hatch.You do have 2 options. You can stop them and take all the eggs. Or you can move the nest and lock them all in a seperate house with it (maybe a rabbit hutch), in the hope that they keep going. That they are laying in one nest is typical, but I am surpised that they all want to sit! Maybe you just caught two laying an egg at the same time. They are great at delegating the job of sitting, lol.
The other downside is if they are successful they want to look after the ducklings themselves. You might loose them through cold weather and sparrowhawks if they are not in an area where they are protected from above... nature is not as kind as if you do the job of incubating. :&>
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I think I am going to leave this one to nature and see what happens. :&>
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James, I can really understand the temptation and I don't want to be a spoilsport...Just be aware that if the nest is outside the run you might loose the sitting duck one night, which would be very sad. If it's in the fenced off run she's probably going to be fine. I hope all goes well! Keep us posted... :&>
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We have had a wild duck sitting on a clutch of eggs since 9th march. She leaves the nest, which is under a bush, very infrequently. is she wasting her time ?
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Although it seems a long period, I don't think she's wasting her time, Sheila. I always had the feeling they know how much time they have to spend sitting and how much they can go off to eat and swim. It's more likely the eggs she laid later that will hatch. As long as the core temperature of the eggs is stable, she might get her babies. :&>
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James, I can really understand the temptation and I don't want to be a spoilsport...Just be aware that if the nest is outside the run you might loose the sitting duck one night, which would be very sad. If it's in the fenced off run she's probably going to be fine. I hope all goes well! Keep us posted... :&>
I think once I know for certain that they are trying to hatch the eggs and not just laying I would try moving them to safety.
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What happens here every year is that they start nesting, then lay a few eggs in it and while they keep on laying they gradually increase the time they sit on the nest. If the same girl is missing several times a day you can be sure. During our only successful natural hatch a few years back I think they kept on laying new eggs all the way through ( I suspect the other girls delegating!!) I took the newest eggs away each day after I had marked the others. :&>
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James - I think your being wise - once you know she is actually sitting and not just laying I would try to move the eggs. Good Luck
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My duck has hatched about ten of her eggs. The nest is in an enclosed garden miles from any water so i don't know what she will do about teaching them to swim.
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Update on my previous post. the duck and duckling have vanished. Gone and never called me mother!
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That's a shame Sheila. I am still unsure what is going on here as it seems all 3 call ducks are taking turns on this nest and with each day they do seem to sit longer. However, at night the ducks all still get locked up and so therefore the nest is not kept warm during the night. I could take them in and incubate but think I will leave them to their own devices.
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Sheila, let's assume she's taken them t o safety and closer to the water...
No ducklings for you then, James. I think the girls are not going to be happy if they keep going and get locked up at night. they might need to try this for a long time until the instinct wanes and the eggs will rot... I myself would decide to either take the eggs to discourage them or try to move them to a safe place with the mothers, don't know if that's feasable for you. :&>
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Kerstin they go to bed without having to be chased off the nest, that's why I don't know what they are up to!
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that's normal in the beginning as fas as I remember. the sitting time will be increasing gradually. I think it has to do with the core temp of the egg still being warm after it's laid or maybe just the way they get into the swing of things. after a week or so I found it harder and harder to get her out of her hiding place to go to bed! I'm still amazed that yours obviously share the whole job, never heard of that before! :&>
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I had to get rid of my Aylesbury drake as he was injuring the Runner females I could not imagine him treading a call duck without causing injury but it would be very interesting to see a cross. I have a male call duck who is besotted with one of my runners and stays glued to her side.
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:) our Indian Runner is very attached to the KC drake, a real issue of the heart
and I'm on the hunt for a missing egg again each day, the call cross (my favourite) has been hiding it for a week... :&>
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Tonight I have switched the incubator on and I will decode tomorrow whether to incubate these eggs or leave them.
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Of course, because I switched on the incubator she has chosen to sit on the nest basically all day today!!!
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my little black call has hidden hers successfuylly today, I could not find it! Now it's a race against time before she sits as well... :&>
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Took this a few minutes ago, both the girls on the nest.
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They must be good palls - one of mine 'Fudge' turns into a gobby little monster if any of the others go near her or her nest!
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This morning she decided that she was going to sit on the eggs and not move. So, tonight I have left her sitting on the nest and moved an old rabbit hutch (took the floor out of) and basically sat this over her and the nest so at least she is safe. No idea when they should hatch - if they are going to. It is amazing to watch her sit there and see the dedication.
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great idea with the rabbit hutch, James! I'm quite glad mine has given up trying, as I couldn't really face the idea of hvaving to move her and her nest...Hope all goes well and you'll have a free range lot of ducklings in a few weeks! :&>
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me too - love the rabbit hutch idea - I've old duck boxes I could do that with when the time come - which I'm sure it will - if I remember correctly call duck hatch at 26 days but I think they start pipping any time after 24, so I kept a close eye after 3 weeks - even on duck hatching the - I'd sneak in for a quick look and pick up an egg and listen to it - great when you hear activity - best of luck :)
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I have ust been out feeding the animals and I noticed 2 of her eggs were out of the nest. Now the position of the nest has moved so I don't know whether they fell out or she has pushed them out. So, I brought them in and candled them and both were unfertilised, so I am hoping she knew this and that's why they are out. I hate the thought of her sitting for so long and getting nothing for her reward.
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I think your right that they just know - I've seen the odd egg pushed out before and I've just put it back only to find it out again a few hours later - I didn't candle them but I'm sure that's right - are they clever and crafty - one of my evaded the round up last night, her 'friend' was most annoyed when she didn't come home, luckily she reappeared this morning.
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She goes mental and has a hissing fit when any of the other ducks go near her and earlier I had gave her some bread and one of the ponies thought they could smell food and she was went mental at it. I still had her closed in so the pony couldn't have got in beside her any how but she stood her ground. Glad your one turned up.
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James, it can also be that she pushed eggs out which weren't hers. But most likely is that she can tell if something is alive in there, amazing, isn't it! Later on she will need to get out and get wet, don't lock her in during the day even if she has enough food and drink in the cage.
Maybe we'll pop by on Wednesday afternoon. :&>
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It is amazing as you say Kerstin. I don't have her locked in during the day so she is free to leave if she chooses. If I see the other animals congregate around her nest then I do go and lock her in for her own peace of mind. Maybe see you Wednesday. :)
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She has now been sitting for almost 24 hours a day for a few days and her nest has much more feathers around it. No idea how long she will have left to sit as it seemed to get off to a very slow start.
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That's normal, James. Fresh eggs are viable for a few days even if cool - as you know! I'm sure she'll do it right. I just hope you can catch them before she's off to the river with her babies! It might be a bit hectic for us tomorrow after all, as the band will go out for a meal after :&>
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I hope she's settled down now - it's great you spotted her, yesterday morning once 'Luck's Bird' reappeared I was determined to find where she was nesting to try the box on top thing, it took ages but finally she flew off and I flew out the house - she seemed to disappear, finally discoverd her underneath an upturned wheelbarrow - not a bad spot really and close to the house so really happy I can keep an eye on her. A hand reared male call 'Lucky' grew up with 'his bird' but she was tiny and the following spring she broke her leg and I had to have her put down, Lucky really missed her but woed another duck that looked just like 'his bird' but was a good size and I really don't want his to loose another partner.
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Fingers crossed all goes well this time Brucklay. :)
Kerstin, don't worry if you can't manage in later. :)
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From time to time the other ducks go and try to destroy/mess up this nest, is this normal?
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not by what I've experienced, James. But ours was nesting in the house and the others never go back in there once let out. :&>
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Thinking that these eggs should probably been due to hatch by now the last few days I have candelled a few eggs each time she has gone on to the river. Every day they have shown to be unfetilised and this morning we were down to the last 3 and low and behold there is definately life in 1 of the eggs. I really hope she manages too hatch this only 1.
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My mad 'Ludo' who always wants to nest but has never layed an egg - stole a nest with 5 eggs, but they had been there for q wee while manage to hatch two out of the five - she's so proud of herself (http://)
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Well done, she seems to have lefy her nest today for longer than normal so don't know if that's because it is a hot day or whether it is incubator time. I will give it a wee while first.
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Can any one offer me any advice? The 1 ducks egg that I put in the incubator - I have no idea of knowing when it is due to hatch. I know that when I candle it I can see movement and would reckon at a big guess another week. However, I had hen eggs in the incubator that are just a week in so I can't stop the motor from turning the eggs. So, my question is what do I do with this 1 duck egg as I could move it to the outside where it would not be turned but as I have no idea when it is due to hatch what should I do?
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Well they say god loves a trier - fingers crossed this is the case. My Call Duck that sat for the full term last month and produced nothing is broody and stuck to her nest again. Better luck this time for her. We moved the nest she had made tonight as she is now sitting 24/7 and she was not protected, now she is safe and sound.
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Good luck this time James. I didn't see the first post - what happened to the one duck egg - was it infertile?
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Good luck this time James. I didn't see the first post - what happened to the one duck egg - was it infertile?
No, there was definitely a living and well formed chick in it so I put it in the incubator but sadly it never hatched. No idea what went wrong but was dissappointed that her efforts were fruitless.
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James, you know why I'm asking ;) did you move the nest and she was following or did you catch and move her, too?? :&> :&>
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James, you know why I'm asking ;) did you move the nest and she was following or did you catch and move her, too?? :&> :&>
Again she found an old binliner that was full of dirty straw and decides this was a good bed for herself, she pulls it completely over herself so you would have no idea she was there. So, we just lifted the whole bag while she sat like queen bee! This has not scared her off and she still sits happily.
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Very clever, James! ;) Hope she has success.
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Hi Peter, welcome. I'm in a wet and miserable Fife.