Posted by Claude Maple on April 3, 2006

Q: Hi. I have a Female Rouen domesticated duck...and a Male Khaki Campbell. I have a large pond that they spend much of their time in. Our Rouen has been laying her eggs in the shallow area of our pond?...Is this common for ducks to do? I have an incubator and would like to try to hatch the eggs...Are the Rouen and Khaki campbell compatible?...am curious about their offspring? Also...The water in the pond is very cold...If the eggs are laid in 40 degree or less water...will they still be viable? Have any ideas about how to encourage my Mrs Rouen to lay eggs in a regular nest? I have made an area with straw for her...but..she seems to prefer the water?....Thanks very much. Claude

A: I don't understand this behavior myself, but even wild ducks often "dump" eggs early in the season before they lay eggs in a nest. These eggs are most likely fertile (I know that at least some are!) and although she won't incubate them herself, if you can do so or put them under a chicken, you'll most likely get ducklings. As long as incubation has not started, the egg will not be damaged by the cool temperature. In fact, ducks lay an egg each day until they have their own clutch prior to beginning incubation. Up to this time, the earlier eggs simply lie in an unwarmed nest and are not harmed in the least - even if they get a bit of snow on them! Once incubation has begun,however, the developing embryo needs to stay "reasonably" warm or it will die. Your duck will decide when and where she wants to begin her nest and you'll have little input, I'm afraid. If she has places where she can get away from the other birds (her own quiet space) this is most likely where she'll want to incubate. Sure hope I've helped and I wish you well with your ducks. I raised ducks as a child and learned so much about animals doing so. Enjoy!

John Wiessinger ( April 4, 2006)