A Question About Ducks - Broodiness?

[froggie71]

Yes they have like 7 more eggs under them. They were at different dates. The Swedes we have were broody that were sitting on the theirs eggs gave up theirs nest and moved nest and all to the runners. Looks like they only had 1 that was gonna hatch. Probably why they gave up the nest and eggs.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Are the ducks resentful if you try to move their eggs/nest? My swedish mix is laying in a nest outside of the enclosed run. I'm trying to decide to chicken wire her area of choice if she sets on them. Right now there are 2 eggs (should be 4 but I cracked them to see if they were fertile) in the nest. Hhmmm, what to do??

 

[Dances with Ducks]

I've haven't tried it but from what I have never read of anyone being able to successfully move their eggs and set up a new nest for them. Of course considering the alternative is exposing the hen to predators it might be worth trying anyway. There was someone recently who posted about her Khaki Campbell who hid out in the brush and hatched a clutch without getting eaten, it does happen although there are plenty of other times people report loosing their hens. Chickenwire doesn't seem like much protection to me, raccoons for example can tear right through it.
Holderread, the author of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks writes:
Electroplastic fencing can be a lifesaver when installed around a setting duck that has stationed its nest outside of a protective yard or building.

 

[Daniel_2kaii9]

hey right i dont know what 2 do if my duck eggs do hatch because my both female's are sitting on the eggs if thay hatch shall i leave the 2 girls with the young and separate the drake (just put some wire in the middle of the run so he cant get to them) ?

 

[Dances with Ducks]

That seems like a reasonable plan to me. So the hens stopped laying?

 

[Daniel_2kaii9]

yeah and thay are starting 2 hiss when i open the lid to have a look at them so shall i keep the 2 girls with the young if thay hatch ?

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Wow! Then they are broody for sure!!

I don't know whether you should keep them all together or not. Goosedragon has suggested as long as they are due to hatch all at the same time it's OK. I know you have watched the eggs to make sure of that.

I have heard of people with two sitting hens sometimes fighting over the ducklings or trampling them, and ducklings have been killed. I don't know if that's the usual case or if there is something in particular that caused it.

The last day of hatch with mine another non-broody hen sat in the nest with the mother and seemed to be helping. At least she was very interested and careful of the ducklings. But when she left the nest I put the momma and ducklings in a seperate pen for a while. When the other duck was able to get to the ducklings she would chase them. I don't know if she was trying to steal them or what?

Maybe you should plan to watch them very closely as they hatch and afterwords to see make sure no problems develop.

What experiences have other people had with this??

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Daniel I see there is a current thread about your question. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=223122

 

[Daniel_2kaii9]

im not sure if the eggs will hatch at the same time thay may hatch diffrant days is that ok ?

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Mine hatched over a period of 48 hours and it was fine. Why do you think they may not hatch all at the same time, and how spread out do you think yours may be?