Versuchen GOLD - Frei
The waddle of wee webbed feet
The Country Smallholder
|February 2025
Many ducks will soon come into lay but you need to plan ahead if you want to breed ducklings
-
Ducks are seasonal breeders, having a surge of eggs in the spring, often from February onwards, and then tailing off for winter. The more commercial breeds such as the Khaki Campbell are all round layers as are Indian Runners - they are also not good broody ducks. If you have a drake and the ducks are actively mating and producing eggs then you can use artificial incubation to produce ducklings year round so that you are producing some point of lay ducks for early spring.
BROODY DUCKS
Domestic ducks on the whole are not the best of sitters and become very agitated. Being calm around her and keeping noisy children or dogs away from her is very important. Some breeds (and within breeds, some families,) are much better at hatching and parenting then others. Some breeders will use a broody hen in place of a duck to hatch duck eggs and this does work well. Always ensure as duck eggs are larger than hen's eggs, that the hen is able to easily cover the eggs you put under her.
HATCHING TIMES
Duck eggs take 28 days to hatch unless they are Muscovy duck which take 35-37 days larger than hen's eggs, that the hen is able to easily cover the eggs you put under her.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2025-Ausgabe von The Country Smallholder.
Abonnieren Sie Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierter Premium-Geschichten und über 9.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Sie sind bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON The Country Smallholder
The Country Smallholder
Preventing and Controlling Predators
Poultry are prey animals and, in the UK, there are a wide array of predators that can hunt them. Hugh and Fiona Osborne look at the predators to be aware of and how to guard against them.
7 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
Showing our Turtle Doves some love this Christmas
Helen Moffatt says you can be part of Operation Turtle Dove on your smallholding
3 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
On the third day of Christmas
The famous Christmas carol celebrates \"three French hens\", but what if we gave the verse a smallholder's twist? Cara Wheeldon introduces three festive bantam breeds that bring sparkle, charm, and cheer to coops across Britain this winter.
5 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
Five ideas for inside food growing over winter
Editor and eco-expert Kim Stoddart outlines some more creative ways to bring the outdoors in this winter
3 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to enjoy winter pig keeping
Linda Aldous says success is all in the preparation and in your clothing!
5 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
Where next for Britain's smallholding and farming communities as we look to 2026 and beyond
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.
4 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
All dressed up with nowhere to show?
Grant Brereton says there's still cause for optimism with pure breeds
6 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
When small businesses collaborate, things happen!
Angela Williams shows how by working with like minded people, you can create things you thought you could only dream
5 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
Cluckin' around the Christmas tree
'Tis season of peace and goodwill to all hens
5 mins
December 2025
The Country Smallholder
The gentle giant Brahma - big and beautiful
Victoria Roberts BVSC MRCVS looks at a stately, docile chicken with an impressive history
2 mins
December 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size

