How to Hatch Mallard Duck Eggs

Mallard duck eggs can be incubated to increase the number of ducks for farming or to keep as pets. While the incubation process can be done in the nest, incubation in an incubator can allow the female duck breed again. In addition, the hatching of eggs in an incubator can provide safety from illness and injury as well as a controlled environment for the owners.

Things You'll Need

  • Incubator
  • Mallard duck eggs
  • Flashlight
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Candle the eggs to verify that the egg is fertilized. Complete this by shining a light through the egg. If the egg is clear, the egg is not fertilized. If the egg is dark and full of veins, the egg is fertilized.

    • 2

      Place the eggs in the incubator at 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Rotate the eggs an odd number of times a day. The more times the better, but be sure that the rotation is an odd number, especially during the night. Rotate the eggs horizontally.

    • 3

      Candle the eggs weekly to ensure the egg is still active. There are occasions in which the fetus will stop growing. These eggs should be removed from the incubator.

    • 4

      Once the eggs hatch, lower the temperature of the incubator where the chicks can be kept. The temperature of the incubator at this point should be 98.5 degrees. All of the eggs should have hatched within 30 days of laying.