duck egg hatching
Posted by Maryann Skaflestad on June 20, 2006
Q: We have a duck on a nest that seems to have been there longer than 28 days. Would the duck remain on the nest if the eggs were not going to hatch???
Habitat: swamp
State: New Jersey
Habitat: swamp
A: A mother duck has no way of knowing if her eggs are going to hatch or not until very close to the end (the babies often peep a bit in the egg just before hatching). Domestic ducks take about 26-30 days of incubation so don't give up. If the eggs don't hatch, the mother will slowly lose interest in incubation and eventually abandon her nest. Be sure not to disturb her and let her "do her thing". Good luck to you.
John Wiessinger ( June 20, 2006)
Filed under: Birds