YES!!!! Darn birds and their hidden nests.I FOUND IT!
Finally this morning Maggie came to the coop for food and water. So I opened the gate.
I watched her eat and drink and hiss at the drakes who came near her. She head bobbed with her mate.
Maggie knew I was watching her and waiting for her to leave. She waited until I gave up and opened the gate wide so all could leave. (means I have to scour the yards for eggs)
Anyway, Maggie waddled off with six headed for the front yard. She knew I was following and stopped to stare at me. She nibbled grass and would watch me...I had to pretend to pull weeds from a flower bed and she zipped under the boughs of the Scotch Pine.
Yes, I checked. Maggie hissed at me! May have two to four eggs.
She was on her nest in a very dark area between some Iris plants, a big rock and the trunk of the tree. Really nicely hidden.
Now that I know where the nest is, hubby suggested letting her finish her hatch instead of moving her. It is in the front yard where no critters go because there is highway traffic.
Will consider that....she probaby has 8 to 10 days until hatch. I would hate to move her to a private pen and condo and then see a stressed Maggie abandon the eggs.
Anyone have success moving a duck hen and her eggs?
I'll add another vote for leaving her where she is, especially if you are going to be around to watch for them to hatch.
but I think I will put the pad on the inside and have it run down the sides so their backs can touch the sides. And/or I might bury like the bottom half in shavings, up to the first cross bar, or cut half off on one since it’s a two pack. Idk yet. I’m going to try to make it lower or at least lower the pad
