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Birding/Duck egg on up ground pool

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Expert: - 5/12/2007


Question
I found a single duck egg on the edge of my up ground pool. If there anything I can do to help it hatch. Unfortunately I don't have the means to get the incubator, but I would like to help in any way I can so that the chick will survive. The parents of the egg has been using the pool as their own little pond. I just found it strange that they would lay an egg on the edge of the pool. On the off chance that the parents don't come back what can I do? Thanks  

Answer
The parents are apparently not serious about nesting and raising young or they would have made a nest. The egg may or may not be fertile. If you want to try to hatch it, you need an incubator or some way to keep it warm, about 100 degrees, for three weeks. For more information, go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html
Roger Lederer  

Birding

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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