Breeding birds is a multi-level process that can be built 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 the 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. The article will deal with the question of how to plant 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 hatching 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 hatching eggs, as well as feeding chicks. Based on this, we can say with all confidence that the very fact that the 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 hatching and procreation was deliberately suppressed.
In situations where there is a refusal of the bird from hatching, 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 predisposed to hatch 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, you should dwell on laying hens that are capable of completely covering the masonry with their own body, since otherwise sitting out will not give a positive effect.
A universal alternative for hatching the eggs of most breeds of ducks is the Indochka brood 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 with such a mother feel very comfortable. A tamed mallard is excellent for the natural process of hatching, as its level of maternal instincts is usually extremely high.
When choosing brood hens from an existing livestock, it is first necessary 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, a special “test” 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 substitution the duck sits on the eggs, then you can be almost sure of the success of the operation.
Preparatory measures for nests
Although the choice of a brood hen is the key to the success of the measures for hatching, it is far from the only one, since a lot depends on how correctly equipped the place to hatch eggs. The nest in which the clutch 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 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 the 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 incubate, care should also be taken to ensure that it is out of reach of other animals, and also provides protection from drafts that can negatively affect the health of birds. It is also recommended to equip duck nests so that they are out of direct sunlight.
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In addition to the immediate refusal to hatch eggs due to the lack of an appropriate instinct, the laying hen can be affected by the fact that the masonry is in a draft or has been chosen by parasites or predators. It is noteworthy that such behavior can be shown not only by duck hens, but also by other representatives of the feathered world. Rats or ferrets may well steal not only 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 exercise, which often requires patience and strength. It is almost impossible to establish the timing of the appearance of predators in the barn, however, they become more active mainly in winter, when access to other food is significantly limited.
Building a nest
Under natural conditions, the duck sits in a nest that is prepared independently, and most 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 risk of injury to birds.
It is also important to make sure that the boxes do not have strong extraneous odors that will certainly frighten the bird away. 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 masonry is equipped so that the eggs do not roll along the edges, but concentrate 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, you need to take care of their even distribution.
Additional bedding of feathers or down that ducks sit on for laying in the wild will also optimize the entire process. Ducks have a large amount of fluff that can be collected and used for nesting. At the same time, the use of mineral and ordinary watts should be abandoned, 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 warming of the nest, since otherwise the laying will hardly cause ducklings to emerge from the eggs. It is also important to ensure complete rest when the duck lays on eggs, therefore, they should not have access to this place or claw or drake.
Next steps
After the process of arranging the incubation site, as well as the direct preparation of the nest, has been completed, eggs can be laid. To lay eggs in such a way as to obtain the desired effect, you can use an exceptionally good bird, which is suitable for this. Lying other people's eggs to birds that do not show a desire to hatch even their own is simply a futile task, whereas if you find a bird with developed instincts in ducks, you can get the desired result, even when it comes to 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 hen. For people who do not understand ducks, the best option may be to consult a specialist on this issue. However, there is one thing but: in order for the consultation to be effective, the specialist must see the hen.
Put new eggs gradually and in such a way as not to cause discomfort to the brood hen. This is best done when the bird is temporarily away to drink or eat. Under a sedentary bird, you should not lay more than one egg at a time, while during its absence, you can significantly supplement the clutch. If everything was done correctly, ducklings from all eggs appear almost simultaneously. It is quite difficult to determine the exact timing of the appearance of a chick, especially at home. At the same time, a monthly period with some correction for the characteristics of the rocks is the optimal indicator.
Among the probable problems that arise when laying eggs under a duck, there is a certain difference between the hatching time of ducklings. 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 lay clutches before a brood hen is first planted in the nest.
Egg selection
Before you put a duck on 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 place dry and protected from direct sunlight, where they can be aged freely. It is important that the duck sits 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 the 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, drake or female to hatch from the egg, it is important to control the brood 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. The 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 hen gets off 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 in time.