The Duck Egg Rescue Program has been in operation since 1996 at our facility built on the Mello Farms property. This project allows farmers to rescue duck eggs from fields when prepping or harvesting to preserve mainly the local mallard duck population. Eggs brought to North Delta Conservancy are incubated and hatched; ducklings are raised, banded and released back into the wild at about 6-7 weeks old with as little human impression as possible. The conservancy currently releases an average of 500 ducklings annually. Besides mallards, some teal and gadwalls are hatched and released.
The Duck Egg Rescue Program runs from about mid March to mid Aug. Rescued eggs will be picked up at your request. Contact program coordinator for potential pick up in the local area.
Key points for egg/duck survival is:
maintain warm temperature between 95- 100º of eggs (too much of temp drop for too long will kill egg)
Get eggs picked up soon (within half day) for eggs to incubate
Volunteers usually help one day a week during the season to make sure ducks have food and water and to transfer birds. Volunteers are always needed. Contact program coordinators.
Duck Egg Rescue Program Coordinator: Robert Jones (925) 525-6311
The Duck Egg Rescue Program has been in operation since 1996 at our facility built on the Mello Farms property. This project allows farmers to rescue duck eggs from fields when prepping or harvesting to preserve mainly the local mallard duck population. Eggs brought to North Delta Conservancy are incubated and hatched; ducklings are raised, banded and released back into the wild at about 6-7 weeks old with as little human impression as possible. The conservancy currently releases an average of 500 ducklings annually. Besides mallards, some teal and gadwalls are hatched and released.
