call duck sitting tight-what happens next ?

[Anonymous]

Hi everybody, I am new to the forum and need some advice. I have a pair of Call Ducks that I obtained 2 months ago. They have their own pen and shed with nesting box. The duck laid 9 eggs over a period of about 10 days and started sitting about 20 days ago. The drake spends his time on his little pond and the duck comes off the nest about once a day for a short period of time. Everything seems to be going according to plan. Heres the rub, what do I do next ? - The nesting box area has shavings, do I remove these when,if, hatching occurs. Should I separate the drake from the family with a mesh divider, as I have heard that they can be a problem with the ducklings. I think I am ok with food and drink but should mother have access to deeper water to wash but is inaccessible to the little ones? Sorry to so long winded but I have only kept adult ducks up to know. Many thanks for any advice, Adrian

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, Well from what I gather it's unusual for calls to sit so well, so shes doing a good job! I would seperate the drake from ducklings. As you intend to keep the ducklings with their mother I shouldnt think water would be a massive problem as they will be 'waterproof', i personally would make swimming water inaccessable to mum and ducklings as i'd be worried something did happen to them(but thats me, worry about everything!). The shavings may be a problem as they can eat it, so once theyre hatched you may just want to take it out and put some straw down or something. The ducklings for the first day should have access to chick crumb starter, sometimes I just wet it down a little so it's easier for them to swallow. I would put their food next to mums food so that they find it. Good luck!!

 

[Anonymous]

many thanks for that, I was thinking of pRutting a mesh divider into the pen to keep the drake separate. Should the duckings be allowed out into the pen with mother or kept in? If so, for how long, it is sheeted over in case of cold rain. thanks, adrian.

 

[Anonymous]

They should be allowed out into the pen with their mum as to keep warm! And yes, would advise to put the mesh up to keep the drake from them. I wouldnt worry about it raining as the ducklings will sit under mum, and like i said they will be 'waterproof'. The mum has a preen gland which produces an oil which she will get all over herself, which then will rub off onto ducklings to help waterproof them, the preen gland is near their tail feathers. Theyre usually about 3-4 weeks old by the time they'll be old enough not to be so dependant on mum, though, they will still follow her etc.