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Post by monaro28 on Oct 25, 2009 10:37:39 GMT 8
Hi everyone, I have a pair of khaki campbells and the girl has been sitting on 11 eggs I think for about 3 weeks now. This is the first time I've tried breeding and just wondering if anyone and any thoughts or advice? Will the dad be a problem when they hatch? I havnt seen the mum leave the nest for a week now, and I don't think she has eaten anything, even dad isn't eating their normal food, only lettuce, is that normal? Thanks, Kelly
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Post by Cluck N Waddle on Oct 25, 2009 20:20:27 GMT 8
Hi Kelly, Have you candled the eggs? By candling them you will at least know if she's sitting on viable eggs. I wouldnt advise leaving the drake in with the duck when the ducklings hatch because he's quite likely to kill the ducklings. If you're worried about the pair being separated and the drake pining for his mate, maybe you could put the mum and ducklings into a smaller pen within your duck pen so the drake can still be nearby without getting access to the ducklings? Are you sure that the duck isnt eating? She may be sneaking out for a couple of minutes when you're not looking. She will definately have been getting off for a drink otherwise she would be bye byes by now. If you're worried that she isnt eating you could try popping a little dish of food next to her nest for a little while each day and see if she eats some. I wouldnt leave the dish right next to her 24/7 though as it might attract mice, ants etc. As for your drake, all I can suggest is just keep offering him his usual food. At least he's eating lettuce, thats better than eating nothing at all You could have a dig in the garden and collect a few bugs for him also We'd love to hear how things pan out. Hopefully you'll have some cute lil ducklings in about a weeks time
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Post by fluffychook on Oct 26, 2009 7:42:23 GMT 8
Some drakes are great dad's, but I would not risk the ducklings to find this out. I agree with what Steph has mentioned too.
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Post by luv4ducks on Oct 26, 2009 15:39:37 GMT 8
I agree, I've had drakes that will fight to the death if even I approach the ducklings, and I've also had drakes that have waited until the duck is occupied (usually at feeding time) to go and bump a few ducklings of. They are like all animals, some are gentle natured others are violent and aggressive the safest thing to do is what Steph has suggested, it's better to be safe than sorry.
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Post by monaro28 on Oct 27, 2009 20:16:59 GMT 8
Thanks. I havnt tried to candle them because she gets really upset and hisses at me when I go close so I dont want to disturb her. Yeah I didnt think that she must ge getting up to at least drink, they are just eating heaps less than normal then. I will definately seperate them before they hatch and see how he goes. And I will let you know when they hatch.
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Post by monaro28 on Nov 10, 2009 17:15:51 GMT 8
We had 8 little ducklngs hatch yesterday! And dads been great and mum extremely over protctive!
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