How are duck eggs fertilized?
Ducks eggs are fertilized when ducks mate. The sperm fertilizes the eggs in the female duck’s oviduct. From there, the egg travels down the oviduct with the white part of the egg forming around the egg–the yolk–and then the shell.Fertility LevelsTo make sure the highest number of eggs are fertilized, a hen–a female duck–needs to be bred by a drake–a male duck–once every four to five days.AnatomyBirds have a common opening, the cloaca, in both sexes. The cloaca serves to eliminate urine and feces from the body. It is also the common opening for the reproductive organs.Male AnatomyMale ducks–unlike most birds–have a penis. It remains inside the duck’s body unless it is mating.MatingDuring mating, the birds touch cloacas–a “cloacal kiss.” The drake introduces his penis into the hen’s cloaca. Sperm go into the hen’s cloaca and travel up into its reproductive tract.Expert InsightMost ducks prefer to mate on water, but they can also breed on land.
