How to properly plant a duck on eggs
Bird breeding is a multi-tiered process that can be structured in several ways. The key point of breeding can be called rearing, where one of the most popular methods is the process of natural incubation with the direct participation of a specially selected hen. Despite its popularity, the method involves time expenditures, as well as other difficulties arising on the way to achieving this goal. In order for a duck to sit down to hatch eggs, it is necessary to prepare the nest, select the eggs, and also provide it with adequate nutrition. In the article, we will deal with the question of how to put a duck on eggs.
How to put a duck on eggs
According to experts, the most difficult task is the selection of a hen, since the success of incubation depends on its behavior, therefore, the choice of one should be taken with full responsibility, and many novice farmers prefer to resort to the services of experienced specialists for such purposes, who can give practical advice. It is important for a duck to create all the conditions for comfortable incubation of the entire clutch, since even a good hen in the absence of such conditions cannot ensure success.
Difficulty choosing suitable hens
Depending on the breed, the purpose of the duck may vary somewhat. According to the official classification, there are two main types:
- meat breeds;
- meat breeds.
At the same time, there are three directions of breeding, the first is aimed at breeding ducks in order to obtain meat, the second - meat and eggs, the third - only eggs. To implement each of the directions, you can use several breeds at once, each of which has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Not every bird can boast of developed instincts for incubating eggs, as well as feeding chicks. Based on this, we can say with all confidence that the very fact that a brood hen has begun to lay does not guarantee that she will want to hatch an egg. It is noteworthy that such behavior can be a manifestation not so much of individual qualities as a characteristic feature of the breed. Such changes are actively manifested in artificially bred breeds, in which the instinct of incubation and procreation was purposefully suppressed.
In situations where the bird refuses to hatch, you can resort to several options for solving the problem:
- apply an incubator;
- use a different breed of bird for incubation;
- find a bird from an existing brood that is prone to hatching an egg.
Laying hens are the best option for placing a duck egg in their nest, which they will hatch with success and will not even pay attention to the fact that a drake has hatched. Also for these purposes, you can use turkeys, which may well be suitable for performing the function of "surrogacy".When choosing such a replacement, one should stop at layers that are capable of completely covering the laying with their bodies, since otherwise incubation will not give a positive effect.
A versatile alternative for hatching eggs for most duck breeds is the Indo-hen. It is they who have developed the instinct to hatch eggs, which greatly simplifies the process, since there is no need to forcibly do this in such conditions. They are also excellent "educators", so ducklings of other breeds feel very comfortable with such a mother. A tamed mallard is excellent for the natural process of hatching, as its level of maternal instincts is usually at an extremely high level.
When choosing hens from the existing population, it is necessary first of all to pay attention to the behavior of the bird. The ideal brood hen should be calm and at the same time not lethargic. The presence of excessive aggressiveness is the factor that indicates the impossibility of using the bird as a brood hen for incubating other people's eggs. It should be noted that even in a situation where the search for a suitable candidate was successful, special "testing" is mandatory. The test consists of using up to 5 test eggs in order to check the reaction.
If the bird leaves the nest during incubation only to eat or drink for several days, we can talk about the success of the experiment. In the future, the test egg should be replaced with a fertilized one, which is placed directly in the nests. If, after such a change, the duck sits on the eggs, then you can be almost sure of the success of the operation.
Preparatory measures for nests
The choice of a brood hen, although it is the key to the success of hatching activities, is far from the only one, since a lot also depends on how well the place for incubation of eggs is equipped. The nest in which the laying takes place should be convenient, since otherwise the duck may completely refuse to incubate these eggs and in the future it will be extremely difficult to force it to return to an already abandoned occupation.
This behavior is possible only if we are talking about breeds with a pronounced mother instinct, since the loss of interest on the part of individuals who belong to the category of not the best "parents" can lead to the fact that the eggs will not be hatched at all. It is very important to monitor the behavior of the bird under which the clutch is made throughout the entire period of incubation, because if you lose sight of the moment when the bird has lost interest and no longer wants to incubate eggs, you simply may not have time to find an adequate replacement.
The process of preparing a nest to hen on it is quite simple, and its implementation is within the power of even inexperienced poultry breeders. The main condition in this case is to strictly follow the recommendations provided by specialists. At home, as, in fact, in the wild, the duck's nest should be located in such a way that it is darkened, and also hidden from prying eyes. When arranging the place where the clutch will be incubated, care should also be taken to ensure that it is out of the reach of other animals, and also provides protection from drafts that can negatively affect the health of the birds. It is also recommended to equip duck nests so that they are out of direct sunlight.
In addition to the direct refusal to hatch eggs due to the lack of an appropriate instinct, the fact that the clutch is in a draft or has been chosen by parasites or predators can affect the leaving of the hen.It is noteworthy that such behavior can be shown not only by duck hens, but also by other representatives of the bird world. Rats or ferrets can easily steal more than eggs, as ducklings often suffer from them, which has a negative effect on the emotional state of the laying hen.
Fighting the penetration of such intruders is a rather difficult undertaking, which often requires patience and strength. It is almost impossible to establish the timing of the appearance of predators in the barn, but they become more active mainly in winter, when access to other food is significantly limited.
Building a nest
Under natural conditions, a duck sits in a nest, which is prepared independently, and, importantly, in advance. At home, birds are not able to independently equip a nest, so a duck breeder should be concerned about such a task. The basis for building a man-made nest can be a box, which is at the same time strong enough and at the same time does not carry the danger of injury to birds.
It is also important to make sure that the boxes do not have strong extraneous odors that will certainly frighten off the bird. Laying and incubation should be carried out on soft and warm surfaces, therefore, for this purpose, the nest should be covered with dry grass, in which there are no thorns and other sharp formations that could cause injury. It is important that the clutch is equipped in such a way that the eggs do not roll at the edges, but are concentrated in the center and the place is convenient. Duck eggs are quite large, and given that a bird can incubate about 20 eggs at a time, care must be taken to distribute them evenly.
Having extra bedding of feathers or down on which ducks sit for laying in the wild will also optimize the entire process. Ducks have a large amount of down that can be collected and used for nesting. At the same time, the use of mineral and ordinary cotton wool should be avoided, as they can cause restless behavior, as well as scabies in birds. In order to plant a duck to plant eggs in the cold season, you need to take care of additional insulation of the nest, since otherwise the laying is unlikely to lead to the emergence of ducklings from the eggs. It is also important to ensure complete rest when the duck sits on the eggs, so the claw or drake should not have access to this place.
Further actions
After the process of arranging the incubation site, as well as the direct preparation of the nest, has been completed, eggs can be laid. Laying eggs in such a way as to obtain the desired effect can be done by an exceptionally good bird that is adapted for this. Placing other people's eggs for birds that do not show a desire to hatch even their own is simply a futile occupation, while finding a bird with developed instincts in ducks, you can get the desired result, even when it comes to the eggs of other bird species. In addition to the presence of instinct, you should pay attention to the size of the brood hen, since putting a large individual on fragile eggs is tantamount to throwing them away.
The optimal amount at which the duck sits and lays eggs on its own is 5 pieces, while the maximum level should be determined by the size, as well as the breed of the brooding hen. For people who do not understand ducks, the best option may be to consult a specialist on this issue. At the same time, there is one but: in order for the consultation to be effective, the specialist must see the hen.
New eggs should be laid gradually and in such a way as not to cause discomfort to the brood hen. This is best done when the bird is temporarily absent to drink or eat.Do not lay more than one egg at a time under a sedentary bird, while during its absence, the clutch can be significantly supplemented. If everything was done correctly, ducklings from all eggs appear almost simultaneously. Determining the exact timing of the appearance of a chick, especially at home, is quite difficult. At the same time, a monthly period with some adjustment for the characteristics of the rocks is the optimal indicator.
Among the probable problems that arise when laying eggs under a duck, there is some difference between the time the ducklings hatch. In some cases, this does not lead to a change in the attitude of the hen to the eggs, while it also happens that the duck loses interest in them, and it is extremely rare to put it back. In such cases, you can do everything in order for the eggs to sit out for other hens, but this is fraught with some difficulties and does not always work. That is why it is recommended to make clutches before the hen is first put into the nest.
Egg selection
Before you put the duck on the eggs, you need to pick them up correctly. To this end, experienced duck breeders recommend collecting eggs until a full clutch is collected. Eggs should be stored in a special way by placing them in a dry and out of direct sunlight, where they can rest freely. It is important that the duck sit on eggs that are no more than five days old, because otherwise they will not be able to give birth, because they are most likely already spoiled.
Some breeders recommend washing eggs while preparing for laying, but there are those who argue that in the case of a natural way of breeding chicks, such manipulations are not necessary. The same can be said about the eggs of other birds, since the claw can hatch without additional processing of the egg.
The principles of hen control
In order for a claw, a drake or a female to hatch from an egg, it is important to control the hen at the first stages.
- It is necessary to trace where and how she sat, whether she covers the entire clutch with her body, or one egg (or maybe several) is left aside. Lack of maternal instincts of the proper level is not the only problem, since their excessive level can be no less dangerous.
- A claw or other chick cannot hatch from an egg if the bird, guided by the instincts of protection, refuses to get up from them in order to eat. In addition to depletion, such actions have a negative effect on the eggs, which should not overheat, and should also receive oxygen, which is properly supplied only when the brood hen gets up from them.
- When it comes to ducks that incubate their eggs and do not stand up, the only solution here may be to force them to raise, since this is vital for hatching.
Speaking about domestic ducks and the process of breeding them, we can say with confidence that natural instincts in this matter are in the first place. If any breed is capable of carrying, regardless of individuality, then not every bird is suitable for hatching chicks. A chick brood from laid eggs can be obtained only by observing a number of rules and recommendations. You can get such recommendations from specialized literature, as well as on the Internet, where more than one video is presented, revealing in detail all the secrets of breeding ducklings. Thanks to them, every time a duck sits on its eggs, you will have ducklings over time.