Hi from West Yorkshire

Yorkshire Duck Lass

New member
Joined
Aug 24, 2022
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi all. I am new to duck keeping and loving it. It all started with my neighbour a few months ago when I started to help look after her adult Indian runners and ducklings whilst she worked different shifts. 4 adult and 9 ducklings, 8 of the older ducklings were put outside with the warmer weather, until one day later they were brutally taken by 4 of her dogs, leaving just one still under the heat lamp. I happily took on caring for the lonesome duckling on a daily basis, sitting by her side, talking to her as well as ensuring she was fed and watered regularly. I bought her a new house, one she could see out of, rather than the little black box she pecked at all day, this was the day I became the proud owner of my very own duckling, yes I could take her home, over the other side of the fence, she was mine. I sat next to her in her new cage talking away for the rest of the day but when I left her side she cried. There was nothing else for it, I searched the internet for a friend and the very next morning I picked up another duckling the same age, 3 weeks old, happiness. My neighbour then went on holiday, passing over the fence and incubator full of eggs, with no other instructions but to turn them twice a day! I turned them as told, not sure how/which way but I turned them. Unfortunately my efforts failed, no new ducklings. However I later found out that eggs had been added ad-hoc and the power failed for, maybe a night or a day and night, who knows. I continued to care for her ducks whilst away but something had triggered my mind, what if I had my own incubator? So here I am with 3 beautiful Indian runner ducks of my own, yes I bought another, and an incubator with 5 eggs in it.... which leads to my question in the incubating and hatching forum any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks, Fiona
3 Little Ducks.3.jpg
 
Hello and welcome!

I'm afraid I know nothing about ducks, and even less about hatching and incubators! However, I know that there are those on this forum who do, and I'm sure someone will be along to help soon.
 
Hello YDL and welcome. I don't visit or post very often so might not be much help. Good inexpensive books to get first are by Katie Thear. First is 'Incubation- a guide to hatching and rearing' ISBN 0-9061-3725-X. Second is 'Starting with ducks' ISBN 0906137-30-6.

Eggs are turned 180 degrees an odd number of times to prevent them sitting on the same side overnight, so a minimum of three times. To avoid long (over an hour) power failures is expensive to resolve. You would need a power failure alarm and then either a generator or a large battery and inverter. In our case we had a power failure too long for the battery capacity and had to use the car for power. The generator had't been delivered yet.
 
Hi and welcome, what a lovely story, not a duck expert I just have wild ones that live on our luck. But I am sure you will find answers from someone on here
 
Thank you for your replies and advice, I have downloaded some kindle books on raising ducks etc but I am happy to say that 4 of the eggs successfully hatched :)

4 little ducklings.jpg
 
How lovely, you have got them to hatch and hopefully they will grow to happy ducks
 

Latest posts

Back
Top