Will my Pekins breed?

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Hi there.

A rookie questions (again!).. if I stop collecting my Pekin eggs, will they hatch?

I'm not necessarily wanting to breed at the moment but I just wondered what would happen if I left it to nature. My drake Pekin looks like he's got the hang of mating now so who knows what those eggs may hold!?

conf665

Weston · **Posted:** Sat Sep 21, 2013 8:07 am

If the duck is broody and she sits full term and the eggs are fertile then yes they will hatch. If you stop collecting the eggs that will help trigger her breeding but not guaranteed

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks Weston.. the nests are quite feathered so it looks like they might be getting ready so I'll leave an egg or two and see what happens. It would be so lovely to have a few little ducklings!

ColacWaterfowl · **Posted:** Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:38 am

Yes thats a good sign when there are lots of feathers that is 99% associated with nesting

EZYGEESE · **Joined:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:25 pm **Posts:** 3

You will know when they want to sit as they will get a little aggressive around the eggs

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Well.. some time has passed since my last post and although my ducks didn't breed back then, they seem to be on to something now!

One of my Pekins started laying eggs in a different spot - I didn't realise and it wasn't until I spotted her sitting out in their run did I realise she had started building a little nest and a little collection of eggs!

After reading many a forum, I decided to move the nest into their house (under her watch) as they get locked up at night so with great skill, and balance, I managed to move the nest and it's seven eggs successfully into the house and she has continued to lay and sit on them.

A few weeks later, and a mountain of a nest, both her and her little buddy are now sitting on two beautiful nests full of eggs under the watchful eye of their shared drake who has become a very good gatekeeper!

It has been a few weeks now that they have spent most of the day on their nests.. I have been getting them up at feeding times for a stretch and a wash and a walk and I know that we still have a few weeks to go but it's exciting!! Not just because I might have a little brood of ducks but to see them doing their mother duck thing on their own (and looking so proud of it!) is just amazing!

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else out there has had success with their Pekins breeding.. as I believe they aren't known to be good mothers?

happy_duck

IndianRunners44 · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2013 8:29 am **Posts:** 5

I have a friend that has a large flock of pekin ducks say around 40 I think she has no trouble breeding 100 in a year sometimes more and all hers and mother raised

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Wonderful news.. thank you.

It wasn't my intention to breed, as I originally asked for all girls but one turned out to be a drake and now I haven't the heart to stop them doing what comes naturally..

We'll see what happens and if any end up hatching and then build a bigger pond!!

dd66789

EZYGEESE · **Joined:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:25 pm **Posts:** 3

I hope you get a few ducklings they are so cute

Gaynor · **Joined:** Tue May 12, 2009 11:19 am **Posts:** 49

Thanks Ezygeese.. I would seriously die if we did get ducklings and would not be able to leave them alone!!

I have separated the drake in the evenings to give the girls some down time as the back of their heads were getting quite bald.. does anyone know at what point he should be kept constantly separate from them?

I have read that drakes can sometime kill the little ones.. wondered also if the two girls will be ok once their separate broods hatch..?

First time mom to be here so any advice welcomed.. conf665

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