[egglady]

successfully hatchings of 6/11 duck eggs today.  how long do folks leave them in the incubator before moving them to their brooder?  (well cardboard box with hot water bottle and lamp in my case!!). and do you move them all at once or in dribs and drabs?

[whitby_sam]

I prefer to give them atleast 24 hours. Ducklings are hardier than chicks (and less stupid) so you don't need to be quite so strict about temperatures but I'd recommend buying a good digital thermometer.

[egglady]

I prefer to give them atleast 24 hours. Ducklings are hardier than chicks (and less stupid) so you don't need to be quite so strict about temperatures but I'd recommend buying a good digital thermometer.

thanks for this.  do you mean to use the thermometer in the incubator or the cardboard box?

and where should i keep them?  currently in the conservatory but it's a sunny day today so the conservatory is gonna be WARM later- is this a good thing or a bad thing?

[jameslindsay]

Laura the conservatory may be too warm for them plus a heat lamp on. However, if they do get too hot they will shift to the outside of the box to escape the heat. Hope they are all doing well. When you giving them their first bath/swim?

[egglady]

Laura the conservatory may be too warm for them plus a heat lamp on. However, if they do get too hot they will shift to the outside of the box to escape the heat. Hope they are all doing well. When you giving them their first bath/swim?

oh i dont know - i am hoping lots of more experienced folks (like you!) will tell me when it's time.  They have had their first drink and a few chick crumbs a wee while ago.  But how do i introduce the next ones safely without letting them eat or drink?

[jameslindsay]

I try and get them to eat and drink as soon as possible and normally once they see one doing it the rest follow. I have had them in the bath after 24 hours and they love it. Some people say this is too soon but I have never had a problem. I have the water, not too cold and very shallow and originally give them just a few minutes and then a bit longer each time. They will love it. If you have any urgent worries just call me.

[harry]

in an emergency i used a cardboard box and ceramic heat buld, the sides of the box were to tall and the chicks all died, overheated. walls of box only need to be 9 inches tall and as big as poss so they can come to the heat when required and move away when warm, the heat source needs to be higher than the box. you dont need a themoeter as you can watch the chicks, if all huddled under the lamp lower it, if all around the perimetre (to hot) raise it. they will move in and out the same as they would if they had a mother.

[egglady]

thank you one and all. i bought a paint tray today so me thinks first 'bath' may be tomorrow......for all 8 of them!  not bad from 11 fertile eggs eh?

think their new home may need to change as they have soaked their cardboard box already....

oh the joys of parenthood!

AND we had another set of lambs today

how do i upload photos?

[Sharondp]

Would love to see photos! When you reply, there is an 'additional options' button on bottom left - you can attach files there. Click 'More attachments' for more than one photo.

[jameslindsay]

In the next few days Laura the smell from them will be awful. As much fun as they are they make so much mess that they do start to pong a bit and ofcourse the more you have the worse the smell.