Caring For A Duck Egg

There's a duck nest by my work, and the mother had been sitting there for almost 3 weeks. 1 egg hatched that we saw. This morning I looked for it and she was gone; someone had walked through her nest and stepped on the hatched baby. She hasn't been back all day. Will the eggs survive? Is there anything I can do?

By Concernedbirdguy from Brockville, ON

Answers: Caring For A Duck Egg

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By 06/09/2010

I doubt there's anything you can do. At least you cared.
Marg from England.

Caring For A Duck Egg

I found a duck egg. How do I know if it's alive and how do I take care of it? I have it sitting in a basket right now with a light on it, but the egg is also covered by a washcloth so its not direct light. Please help, I don't know what to do?

Candi218 from Hot Springs, AR

RE: Caring For A Duck Egg

It is probably already dead. They have to be kept between 92 and 95 degrees, and have a source of humidity. They also have to be turned. Usually a mother won't leave a good egg. You could candle it to check. (04/16/2008)

By mom-from-missouri

Caring For A Duck Egg

My dog found a duck nest and gently brought home 3 eggs. We saw the ducks on the lake this morning so the eggs haven't been abandoned for long. How do we care for the eggs?

By Jodie from Balsam Lake, WI

RE: Caring For A Duck Egg

The ducks probably didn't abandon the nest. Your dog took the eggs while they were away from the nest. If you have kept them warm, find the nest and put them back. They might still be viable. The smell of you and your dog on the eggs won't cause them to abandon the eggs. In the rare chance that they were abandoned already, they were probably dead when the dog found them. (05/09/2010)

By schyresti