Author Topic: Duck egg cannibalism questions  (Read 3780 times)

northfifeduckling

  • Joined Jan 2009
  • Fife
    • North Fife Blog
Duck egg cannibalism questions
« on: June 01, 2021, 01:45:15 pm »
We just watched one of the broodies run off and eat one of the semi-developed eggs, feathered duckling and all  :tired: . Does anyone know why they do it? If the egg cracks before its time, if the duckling dies, if they are not hers? This is the first time that 2 broodies are sharing a nest each in separate houses, maybe nest rivalry? I do feed them, so that can‘t be the reason...

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2021, 02:28:40 pm »
Never heard of this before but can you separate them? Share out the eggs, but only give the offender a couple in case she does it to her own batch.
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2021, 06:37:42 pm »
It could well be that the chick had died so she is disposing of the egg before it smells.  That is what wild birds do, so as not to attract predators or contaminate the nest. So the telling time will be if she does it again, when it might be something you don't want like a habit, or the boredom of brooding getting to her.
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Richmond

  • Joined Sep 2020
  • Norfolk
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2021, 09:16:22 pm »
My geese do it. They get rid of any eggs they consider non viable.

It would be best if you separate the ducks so they each have their own nest and own house, which will avoid any squabbling over the babies when they hatch.

macgro7

  • Joined Feb 2016
  • Leicester
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2021, 03:05:22 pm »
It could well be that the chick had died so she is disposing of the egg before it smells.  That is what wild birds do, so as not to attract predators or contaminate the nest.
Exactly what I would have said!

What type of ducks are they?
If other than muscovy or wild mallard they may be just bad mothers - most ducks are not very good tbh.
Growing loads of fruits and vegetables! Raising dairy goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits on 1/2 acre in the middle of the city of Leicester, using permaculture methods.

northfifeduckling

  • Joined Jan 2009
  • Fife
    • North Fife Blog
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2021, 01:15:11 pm »
Thanks, folks. They are mixed breed, and have never accepted being moved before, hard to say if separating would be useful as I only have housing for one maternity ward.... :fc:

macgro7

  • Joined Feb 2016
  • Leicester
Re: Duck egg cannibalism questions
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2021, 06:22:49 am »
Thanks, folks. They are mixed breed, and have never accepted being moved before, hard to say if separating would be useful as I only have housing for one maternity ward.... :fc:
Can you put a divider/wall/piece of wood between them?
Growing loads of fruits and vegetables! Raising dairy goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits on 1/2 acre in the middle of the city of Leicester, using permaculture methods.

 

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