A duck has laid 9 eggs in a nest and been sitting on eggs for over a week. She's not been on the nest all day today and lots of feathers about, it's very cold tonight in Scotland and I don't know what to do with the eggs as it doesn't look like she's coming back. Would be grateful for some feedback. I don't have an incubator but have a heat lamp.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
A mother duck sits on her eggs for 20 to 23 hours a day. She will leave the eggs (typically covered in down) for an hour or so each morning and afternoon so that she can feed. Any extended absence more than a few hours once incubation has begun will likely be fatal to the developing embryos, because the eggs are much less tolerant to cold than fresh eggs.
Candle the eggs.
If the egg does not have any distinct veins and it is white when you shine the light on it, it is likely dead. But if not all eggs are dead, then you can make a mini incubator at home using a bulb:
I would leave the eggs alone. If she felt that there was a predator, she might have abandoned them.
I was raised on a working farm and we always used a heat lamp that we would usually get at Tractor Supply or Agri South.
Ducks take care of there own, even in cold/freezing temps. They seem to adapt to seasons. They tend not to need shelter, even in snow fall.
I hope your mama duck returned to her nest safely.
Usually, it is recommended to leave the nest alone and let Mother Nature take care of it.
Ducks will abandon a nest if they do not feel it is a safe place to keep a nest.
Please let us know how the nest/eggs are progressing.
There may be a few reasons why the mother left the eggs:
1. The weather may be warm enough to continue the incubation process without her help. She's taking a break and will return.
The laying period is very stressful for the female ducks.
The incubation time for eggs is up to 3 weeks.
She may abandon her nest if there is too much fussing going on around her.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
