Ducks typically sit on their eggs for about 28 to 30 days before the eggs hatch. During this incubation period, the mother duck, or hen, will brood the eggs almost continuously, sitting on them for 20 to 23 hours a day and only taking brief breaks to eat and drink

. Key details about duck incubation include:

• The incubation period averages around 28 to 30 days, depending on the duck species

• The mother duck creates a "brood patch" by plucking down feathers on her breast to keep the eggs warm at a steady temperature of about 37.5°C (99.5°F)

• While away from the nest, the duck covers the eggs with down and nesting material to maintain warmth

• The mother duck relies on stored fat during this time since she spends most of the day sitting on the eggs and rarely leaves the nest

• A few days before hatching, small cracks appear in the eggs, and the ducklings begin peeping inside. They hatch within about 24 hours using a small sharp bump on their bills called an "egg tooth"

• After hatching, the ducklings stay in the nest for roughly 10 hours to dry and get used to walking before the mother leads them to water

In summary, ducks incubate their eggs for about a month, with the mother providing nearly constant warmth and protection to ensure the eggs develop and hatch successfully.