Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/2/2007

Question
Hello,
Today I witnessed a hawk come down and attack a mother duck and kill her. She had eleven eggs under a shrub. My question is how would I be able to help these eleven eggs try to hatch. I am devastated over this. I have been watching this mother and now she is gone and the eggs are left alone. Is there anything I can do for them?

Thank you,
Melissa

Answer
Your best bet is to contact your nearest wildlife or bird rehabilitation center. If you have none, you can try to incubate the eggs yourself. If you have no incubator, you can make your own.Use an egg carton, a heat lamp, and a thermometer. The eggs will need to be sprayed with water (tap water is ok) occasionally (maybe every few hours), and every day, flip the eggs. As in, on day 1, they are on the little side. On day 2, turn them so that they are on the big side.
The temperature must CONTINUOUSLY be 101-102ºF. So do not place the incubator by an open door. Use the thermometer to monitor this.
Duck eggs usually hatch in 28 days, but some duck breeds can take up to 35 days to hatch.
If the eggs smell, throw them out.
Also go to www.ornithology.com/rehab.html for more advice.
Hatching eggs and raising young birds is VERY difficult, so get any experienced help that you can. Roger Lederer