pigeon_guy   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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First Post Posted on: 03-12-13 05:25 AM
First time into hatching eggs. How about starting with ancona duck hatching eggs? Does that require an incubator, or is that something that can be set up with a DIY sort of set-up?  Hatching eggs might be fun. ;)
martin   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 1 Posted on: 03-12-13 08:56 AM
This is what I was able to get from another site -

"Depending on the type of incubator you use, the person I got the information from used a Lyons table model, forced air incubator he kept the dry reading at 99.5 degrees  and then wet was set at 84-86 degrees for the first 25 days.   Then lowered the dry to 98.5 and raised the wet to 90-94*.  This keeps the membrane soft, so the shells don't stick to the duckling.

He also mentioned for the last 5 days you can hear them peeping in the shell and you can talk to them."
pigeon_guy   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 2 Posted on: 03-12-13 06:07 PM
I'm getting so excited. What do they like the most? I want them to be happy and love their home.
martin   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 3 Posted on: 03-12-13 09:15 PM

They love having a pond but if you don't have one you can use a kiddie pool that has a ramp in and out of the pool.

When brooding ducklings, they like a shallow plate of water to bathe in. But it should not be too deep because ducklings can drown.

 

They are really fun to watch :)
pigeon_guy   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 4 Posted on: 03-13-13 06:10 AM
I don't want to lock them up. I would love to allow them to have their own outside time occasionally. Any suggestions on good fencing?
martin   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 5 Posted on: 03-13-13 09:55 PM

Yeah, I agree to what you say.. They are fun to watch as the group moves around the pasture.....  If they are disturbed by what is going on, they make noise to let everyone know. It is good to provide some protection against predators such as dogs. An outer perimeter fence is a good idea.

 

Chicken wire works great for this. There is a store here in Frankstrade itself that sells poultry netting wires. See this - https://www.frankstrade.com/store/158
pigeon_guy   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 6 Posted on: 03-14-13 07:33 AM
I have heard raising them is not that difficult. What about their feed?
martin   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 7 Posted on: 03-14-13 08:22 AM
Raising them is the same as chickens except they need more B vitamins than chicks. Get a good book on ducks such as "Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks". It tells all about this.
pigeon_guy   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 8 Posted on: 03-14-13 08:26 AM
Thanks Martin for all these knowledgeable info ..... I appreciate it....
martin   Ancona Hatching Eggs
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Reply #: 9 Posted on: 03-14-13 08:27 AM
You're welcome....... Good luck to your first go with hatching eggs!!