Duck eggs can only survive a few hours without their mother and Mr Carter made the snap decision to bring all 12 eggs home.
Staff at the cafe, where the duck had become an unofficial mascot, were left "heartbroken" when she died and initially tried the RSPCA and other local charities.
Mr Carter, 35, described how the couple planned to look after the ducklings until they were ready to live independently, before releasing them near to the cafe.
He said: "Several have shown signs of hatching and we have already had three out.
"We have gone out and bought a couple of things to keep them comfortable until they reach a more independent stage.
"We are trying to do this without giving them any interaction with us and that will mean they will imprint on each other."
