A Question About Ducks - Broodiness?

[momma's chickens]

We have six (four old enough to lay) hens and 3 drakes and they all love playing in the pool and being silly ducks. I have a dog igloo out there and they lay in that. Well this morning when I went to feed them and let them out for the day, I only got three eggs. So one didn't lay, they don't always lay ever day. Then I went to the chicken chores and about 10 minutes later went to feed the goats and when I did I heard this weird sound in the compost pile. It is enclosed on three sides with chicken wire. I investigated and there was one of our Swedish hens that had made a nest and laid an egg in it. Now she didn't cover it or anything but it is definitely a nest. Usually if they are out early they just lay anywhere in the yard they feel like.

My question is, do you think she may go broody on me and if I put some other duck eggs in there, will that make her go broody faster. Also I have noticed over the last couple of days, she is not interested in going into the pool and "playing" with the drake. She kind of hangs back and just observes.

Any thoughts??????

 

[momma's chickens]

Nobody huh, well when I figure it out I will share what I learn!

 

[Wifezilla]

Sorry...I was working and playing with my baby Welsh Harlequins at lunch, so I didn't notice your post!

It DOES sound like she wants to brood. I would try putting some extra eggs in there and waiting a few days to see what she does.

 

[momma's chickens]

Thanks that would be great, my dh will be so thrilled!

I however think it is great!

 

[Wifezilla]

LOLOLOL

My husband was the same way when I ordered the WH girls. Now he thinks they are adorable even though he still says they look like toys and not real ducks.

 

[momma's chickens]

I know, it sounds like both of our dhs are great. Mine rolls his eyes and make little comments, but he is always looking at the babies and come hatching time in the incubator he won't leave his hand out of it. I really had to chew his ear about that because of humidity issues.

 

[shelleyd2008]

With my ducks, it seems the ones that have moved their nests all over the yard are the ones that have brooded. I have one broody now, and one that keeps losing her clutches to predators. You can try putting extra eggs in the nest, but it is not necessary. I think the only breed that doesn't go broody is the pekin, and that's not even 100%. I don't have any broody pekins (yet, though one is hiding her nest), but I have a broody rouen (also supposedly not broody), and my cayuga is the one that keeps losing hers. She is so desperate that she moves her nest into the woods, where the dog doesn't care what happens.

 

[Wifezilla]

I think the only breed that doesn't go broody is the pekin, and that's not even 100%

Runners and khakis usually don't, but we have had a couple of those reported going broody on this forum.​

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Runners and khakis usually don't, but we have had a couple of those reported going broody on this forum.

Oh, didn't know about those two.

Most of the meat/egg-layer breeds aren't supposed to, out of the three I have, the only ones not trying to are my pekins.

 

[sparkles2307]

My Rouen FINALLY went broody over the weekend, with 19 eggs in the nest... it took forever... I hope you have better luck!