How to Hatch Indian Runner Duck Eggs

Indian Runner ducks are a common species of duck that was originally found in the West Indies. They are primarily known for their tall bodies, sometimes being referred to as "penguin ducks," and they lay eggs frequently. The ducks are believed to have derived from wild mallards although they have many unique traits, such as their body shape, unique coloring and ability to run rather then waddle. Indian Runner ducks can be incubated by other animals, such as chickens, and hatch into ducklings in about 28 days.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken
  • Indian Runner eggs
  • Shallow plastic tray
  • Sand
  • Brooder box
  • Water
  • Chick crumbs/duck weed
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a suitable breed of chicken to incubate the eggs. Usually, silkies or clean-legged bantams are used. These species are typically good sitters, so will incubate fertile eggs happily.

    • 2

      Purchase some fertile eggs. Indian Runner ducks are frequent layers, so many owners will have spare fertile eggs that they may be willing to sell. It is also worth trying to obtain eggs at organic farms.

    • 3

      Pour a thin layer of sand into a plastic tray, and place the eggs on top.

    • 4

      Write the laying date on each egg in indelible pen. Clutches can be laid over two weeks, so correctly dating the eggs is essential to knowing when each egg is due to hatch.

    • 5

      Place the tray into the brooding box, and place the chicken in too. The chicken will instinctively sit on the eggs and keep them at the correct temperature.

    • 6

      Allow the chicken out for about 20 minutes each day to eat, wash and defecate. This ensures the chicken is in good health.

    • 7

      Candle the eggs at 10 days and again at 20 days. This involves removing the brooding chicken and shining a bright light through the egg. At 10 days, if the egg is completely clear, it is infertile. At 20 days, clear blood vessels should be visible. Throw away any clear eggs, as these will decay.

    • 8

      Spray the eggs lightly with tepid water 48 hours before the ducks are due to hatch. You may be able to hear the ducklings calling from within the egg. It can take between one and three days for all the eggs to hatch, and the chicken may not leave the eggs during this time.

    • 9

      Prepare the chicks' enclosure as they begin to hatch. Shallow water should be provided, ensuring there is not enough water for the ducks to drown in. Chick crumbs and duck weed should be provided.

    • 10

      Move the location of the chicks' enclosure everyday to keep them clean. Ensure the area you are moving them around has not been used by other fowl recently, to avoid possible parasite infections and the like.