Am I Safe To Assume She's Gone Broody Yet?

[FunnyBunnies12]

Yesterday my girl laid on her eggs a good 4-5hrs straight then came out for about 15min, then went back for a couple more, but then came out again and stayed out. However, today she has laid on her eggs for another good 4-5hrs, came out for about 1/2hr -1hr to eat, drink, hang out with her love, and she went back in again and is laying, so she has for more part stayed on her eggs for most of the day. I'm telling my kids they and their friends can not go back there just in case this is the real deal so that i know she means business or it's more mind games. When can I safely assume she's gone broody? Is she showing signs that she is getting closer to broody status?

 

[katharinad]

My female duck was playing mom for almost 2 weeks this summer. She made a nest, put in rocks and sat on them for hours on end. Eventually she decided she had enough and stopped doing that.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I just want her to broody! But in due time I know, rather it being now, or next spring. She's been laying now for 4wks 30 eggs total, something has to give! I know I'm being a PITA, but as weird as it sounds, since my husband has been in Afghanistan, this has brought my boys and I happiness and excitment, keeps our minds off of the worrisome things that go over there. He's not in the military but is on the bases, he's a Civilian Contractor Quality Assurance Specialist. So, things like this helps pass the time as well as the worry for some part. So, I have lots of questions because this is all so new to me and I like to learn. I'll be going to a wildlife rehabbers conference on the weekend egg 10 is due, so that I can learn about rehabbing wildlife and hopefully, eventually waterfowl, and learn more about ducks in the wild and my domestic.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I am 100% sure now she has gone broody. She has sat all day, and I just watched her stand up, shift and move her eggs and turn them, and she laid right back down on them. Almost brought a tear to my eye I'm so proud of her! She has a disability of a birth defect, but she has all the ability in the world, nothing stops her. She was a very determined duckling then, and she remains a very determined duck now! I'm proud of her! I will know for sure if she's gone broody by the weekend and if there is any development of veins in the eggs she's sitting on. I'm keeping kids away and unable to jump on the trampoline. Gosh I just want to give her one big kiss on her bill! LOL!

 

[Birdcrazy]

Grats on the broody duck!!!!

But wow 30 eggs? that heaps! For a first time mother, don't have your expectations too high with that many eggs

You'll deffinitely know she's broody if, when she gets off her eggs, she's fluffed up/looking a lot bigger than usual, generally is a bit snappy and grumpy towards everyone and very protective of her nest. My duck always finds time to chase the dog for no apparent reason when she's broody.
When my duck was a first time mother she wasnt a very good one lol... but now she's perfect. So don't be too disappointed if things don't turn great straight away

So now its time for the long wait and let nature take its course, congrats!!!
Keep us updated!

-edited my spelling-

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

I'm still hoping she's going broody, because she did get off her eggs last night for awhile longer then she had the entire day, but who can blame the poor girl. So far out of those 30 eggs, I'm incubating 6, and she has 10 in the igloo, so 1/2 of the eggs were not vital. But the ones I am incubating are coming along beautifully. So I'm not expecting a lot this 1st time. I'm just hoping the ones incubating remain developing normally and healthy and can hatch without a problem.
My girl hasn't gotten aggressive or grumpy, she does fluff up but I think she trusts me completely, but she does get very worrisome about her eggs/nest now. She won't leave to far and if I pick her up or something she'll get to whimpering and wanting down and hobbling back to her nest area. Each day time will tell on how long she will stay, but for most part she stayed all day until last night taking a longer break. But she does cover her eggs very nicely when she leaves.

 

[Birdcrazy]

Oh I thought you meant she had 30 eggs packed into her nest, and I was trying to imagen how she'd fit them all in, let alone get herself over them all lol!
My girl is never aggressive towards me, but very much to other people/ducks/the dog. Just watching her walk across the lawn eye-ing people off... there is one grumpy duck

I'm not sure about the breed of duck you have, but my duck's voice becomes higher pitched also when she is broody.
Hope she hatches out her own babies, its just the cutest thing watching a mother and ducklings together

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

She is a Rouen. She took a longer break last night, but she is sitting this morning and not moving, but to shift and move her eggs and down she goes on them again. I hope she continues to broody better and better each day, I think it's clicking with her. Now as to rather these 10 eggs will be viable is another thing. I lost 1/2 of the eggs during her 1st 2wks of laying, then as she continued laying these last 2 weeks, I'm getting more viable eggs. The 1st 10 she laid, I took and started incubating them, only 1 out of the 10 is viable. Then a week later I took 8 out of the nest, and only 5 are viable. And now there is I think 9 or 10 outside with her, so until this weekend or later I won't know if the 10 out with her are viable or not until she leaves and I can candle them. So I think that is 25-30, I lost count! LOL!

 

[suburbanduckmom]

Quote:
The broody stink eye is almost as deadly as the broody poo. Ours doesn't mind me coming to check on her (bring treats and cool water) but no one else is allowed to go near her. Even my husband who she had originally bonded too is chased off.

 

[FunnyBunnies12]

She is possitively broody, she is FT laying and she PUFFS up at me and whimpers and opens her mouth at me, but doesnt' charge me or hiss. I just fed her some food by hand and so I will put a small bowl of food/water in the igloo, but she stood up and I counted 11 eggs she has out there! It finally clicked, she's being a good broody momma!