Hello ducky people,
It’s late spring/early summer here in Australia, and this evening, my 11&1/2 year old Dark Campbell ‘Olive’ started searching out little secret spots in the garden, making nests in the mulch and sitting there quietly hiding. She was also making that ‘I need to lay an egg’ sound even though she hasn’t layed in over 5 years.
I had a bit of trouble getting her off to bed, so I gave her some extra straw for her box, and again she made it into a little nest and sat down, pushing her feet out as she did when she last brooded eggs over 10 years ago as a 1 year old duck! I decided to give her two infertile eggs from my Cayuga just to see what she would do. She carefully rolled them into the nest and sat on them, and later when she got up to eat, covered them with straw.
I’m perplexed! She’s an amazing little duck and was a great mother in her day (which I’ve heard is unusual for Campbells), but I’m worried this might be a bad sign? Has anyone here ever heard of a duck trying to brood at that age?
One of the drakes that she’s been with all her life died a week ago, and I also aquired a new 6-8 week old female duckling yesterday and added her to Olive’s group, so I’m not sure if these two things could have anything to do with her behaviour? It’s been a big change in dynamics for her after 11&1/2 years of being with the same ducky friends.
Any thoughts appreciated!
It’s late spring/early summer here in Australia, and this evening, my 11&1/2 year old Dark Campbell ‘Olive’ started searching out little secret spots in the garden, making nests in the mulch and sitting there quietly hiding. She was also making that ‘I need to lay an egg’ sound even though she hasn’t layed in over 5 years.
I had a bit of trouble getting her off to bed, so I gave her some extra straw for her box, and again she made it into a little nest and sat down, pushing her feet out as she did when she last brooded eggs over 10 years ago as a 1 year old duck! I decided to give her two infertile eggs from my Cayuga just to see what she would do. She carefully rolled them into the nest and sat on them, and later when she got up to eat, covered them with straw.
I’m perplexed! She’s an amazing little duck and was a great mother in her day (which I’ve heard is unusual for Campbells), but I’m worried this might be a bad sign? Has anyone here ever heard of a duck trying to brood at that age?
One of the drakes that she’s been with all her life died a week ago, and I also aquired a new 6-8 week old female duckling yesterday and added her to Olive’s group, so I’m not sure if these two things could have anything to do with her behaviour? It’s been a big change in dynamics for her after 11&1/2 years of being with the same ducky friends.
Any thoughts appreciated!
Not sure if that would be feasible in your situation, but it would be nice haha... none of my ducks have ever gone broody even though I secretly wish they would.
