Eggs

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Egg Laying Season

Our ducks have just begun to lay over the last couple of days - since 9th March, that is.. For them, at least, spring is officially here! Ideally by now the birds should be settled in their breeding groups, and in great condition! Time then, to select suitable breeding pairs.  And do be selective! Try to avoid breeding with related birds, or birds that have health problems that might be inherited.

Breeding birds should be brought into the peak of condition before eggs are set for hatching, either under broody ducks or in incubators. This will ensure not only high fertility rates, but also a good hatch rate, and healthy ducklings. Note that, whilst bantam hens have been known to hatch duck eggs, a higher humidity is required to successfully hatch waterfowl eggs. Sitting ducks will leave the eggs to feed and swim, returning to the nest with wet plumage, to sit on cooled eggs. The best form of incubation will always be the one that is nearest to nature! If you do put duck eggs under a hen then consider putting a square of turf under her nest to keep the eggs in higher humidity, or give them a light spray of water when the hen leaves them to eat.

Don't try to hatch the first few eggs that a young duck lays. They will be small, and the resultant ducklings will also be small. Larger eggs will hatch into stronger ducklings.