Greetings. New to this

EDIT- Im sorry Im not sure how to resize the images but Ill try. Perhaps a MOD can help.

Hello, My name is Justin 34 years, Nurse, former Marine (does any of this really matter) lol
I live with my gf in southeast texas in a small town...
Anyway, Ive always enjoyed birds, especially ducks for some reason, albiet I know nothing about them. However one day my gf and I were traveling down a country road with some time on our hand and noticed a farm with all types of animals for sale so we stopped to look at the peacocks. It was cool they had turkeys, Chickens, Ducks, Geese and all other types. Even though we live in a small house with a small yard be decided to get a baby bird. We picked a duck cause my gf was destraut at the idea of the baby she was holding eventually being killed for meat (even though we had just had a big chicken dinner) and I agreed it was cute so I wanted it too. Then she said she didnt want it to be lonely so we got two. The biggest and the smallest ones in the cage. The big one (Bernie) had a pink bill and the little one (quakers) had a bright yellow bill.
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv117/ttexastt/photo-4.jpg[/img]
Time went by and they grew fast. Initally since we had no knowledge of them we let them live in a big box on the screened porch until they started getting big. This is their first night outside.
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv117/ttexastt/004070-R1-02-3.jpg[/img]
Weeks before I had set out a trap to catch cats and one possum to give me peace of mind they would be safe.
As luck would have it the little one (Quackers) turned out to be a huge quite male while the little one is a loud mouth female. I love them both. First I had a tiny kiddie pool but now I have the biggest plastic pool I could find.
Female
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv117/ttexastt/DSC00555.jpg[/img]
Male
http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv117/ttexastt/DSC00541.jpg[/img]
Obviously they are Peking (I guess) I feed them the crumble stuff from tractor supply that is said to be best and I put a cup of small pellet dog food in there too with some meil worms. They love it. Also often on my way home I stop at the bay and throw my cast net and being them home small mullet and shiners and watch them cath them in the pool. Its awesome.
Anyway, I was moving their pool to a new spot in the yard like I do twice a week when I refill it. WHAT DO I FIND? A EGG! Im going to be a grandpa (I thought) after much reading it seems unlikely. However after seeing she didnt have any interest in it I grabbed it I tried to rig a incubater. I failedm but here is what Im dealing with.http://i675.photobucket.com/albums/vv117/ttexastt/DSC00562.jpg[/img]
I used a old small BBQ pit with a couple of drop lights. After reading I know that my efforts are almost for sure in vein but maybe next time. However I dont need a ton of tiny ducks climbing all over my small yard.
Anyway, suggestions? What should I expect as far as egg laying in the future?
Thanks so much if you took the time to read all the garbage above

This post really made me smile, welcome!
Your ducks are gorgeous!! Congratulations on your first egg.
In regard to incubation, it is a complex process and if you dont have the exact correct temperature and humidity you will either get non hatch or deformed hatch, neither of which are good. If you really want to hatch then I would really suggest getting an incubator.
Your female will likely lay about 4-6 eggs a week all year round with a few months off over autumn winter. Come the spring, if she makes a nest and you leave some of her eggs in in she MAY go broody and sit on the eggs.
Some domestic ducks have lost this broody instinct, but some still have it.
Most people just collect the eggs daily and eat them.
I personally have rescue ducks that are always looking for homes so try and deter any more being hatched!
You will notice all sorts of weird and wonderful behaviours from your pair... please post if you have any questions.
I have a youtube chanel which has a lot of duck behaviours on it here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/zoebrodiejames?feature=mhee

please feel free to PM me with any questions at all

zo
x

What lovely pictures-you can see they are really cheeky characters. I have 2 female runner ducks who have consistently laid every day since April. They are more reliable layers than hens in my limited experiance.One of mine went broody but the other hasn't, as I dont want anymore ducks I remove the eggs daily.

Thanks taking time to read my posts.
Well that egg turns 3 today and I ran all over the yard and didnt find another
I felt the egg and turned it this morning. It felt pretty warm but I have not clue to exact temp cause Im using some thingy my gf uses to cook is what I have next to the egg. Both of the drop lights seem like too much heat. I also keep a small puddle of water in the bottom the pit. Its a really small pit used for tailgating at one time and its even shaped like a football. Im a little worried about just leaving it on the metal grill so I have it padded by some grass. Im guessing in a few days, if its actually fertile, Ill start seeing some type of formation when I attempt the "candeling" thing. Maybe I should spray a mist of water on it? I see some are doing this.

Hiya I would not try and incubate this egg unless you have the correct equipment. You could potentially end up with a deformed duckling and that would be quite sad.
They need turning several times a day, and the exact temperature down to .5 of a degree.
zo
xx

dorsetduckowner said:

Hiya I would not try and incubate this egg unless you have the correct equipment. You could potentially end up with a deformed duckling and that would be quite sad.
They need turning several times a day, and the exact temperature down to .5 of a degree.
zo
xx

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Perhaps he may become deformed like a Hulk duckling with amazing powers that I could ride around the neighborhood? Seriously though, incubating a deformed duck never even crossed my mind. I guess what I step outside myself I look at my crude attempt to make this happen is pathetic. Afterall its a BBQ pit and a mechanic drop light. Who (besides every other member of this board) ever woulda guessed that hatching a egg would be so complex?
Now Im torn.

aww don't worry! We all start somewhere. I had a few unsuccessful incubation attempts when I first had ducks, and I had an incubator!!!
It is truly amazing how they manage it naturally!
Your two ducks sound like they are very well loved!
zo

Hello and welcome to the forum. Enjoyed reading your posts so far! 99

I agree with Dorsetduckowner, even if your duckling hatched, one on it's own is no fun and seriously really hard work! Ducklings need siblings and although you have two ducks unless they rear them they really will not be interested.

Hello again. Well, I did as I was told and trashed the egg I was attempting to incubate and she laid another one the same day. Since the first egg she has laid 5. The first two I trashed, two others were crushed before I could find them, and the 5th I picked up, went to tractor supply and got a real incubator. I got the Little Giant http://www.tractorsupply.com/little-giant-reg-still-air-incubator-2167379 for about 50 bucks. Ive had it in there for over 2 days now and have turned it 3x/day and kept the temp steady at about 100f with little fluxuation.
Im not even sure if it is fertile, but I guess Ill find out soon enough.

Sounds exciting! Good idea to hatch at least 2 though, one duckling will suffer from being alone hugely as it won't be able to mix with your adults until at least 3 months old. Get another one in ASAP!
Zo

dorsetduckowner said:

Sounds exciting! Good idea to hatch at least 2 though, one duckling will suffer from being alone hugely as it won't be able to mix with your adults until at least 3 months old. Get another one in ASAP!
Zo

Click to expand...

Im lookin for an egg everyday. There should be one any time now and Im going to put it in with the other when it comes.