Are my ducks mating?

[NewduckmominGa]

Hi. I have 3 ducks. All 3 are Muscovy's I believe. My aunt brought them to us because we have 40 acres and a pond and they were being attacked by the chickens in their coop.
‘’we never built any kind of coop and they have jus kind of roamed free and swim around and go where they want to go. We found 1 single egg a few weeks ago in the yard but it was cracked and I figured that our dog found it an d we haven’t really seen or hunted for any since. 2 are female and 1 is male. The male was a duckling from one of the females. Recently my husband saw the maile mating with one of the females. How do I know if I should be looking for fertilized egg nest or just duck eggs? Should I prepare a coop or area for them to lay and how do I get them to adapt to it? From the questions I have seen answered, ducks pretty much lay eggs where they want but I want to protect a nest if the female is sitting on it (if that’s what it’s called). I’m sure all of these questions are dumb I just don’t know anything about raising ducks..

 

[Mylied]

Muscovies are pretty good mothers. Unless you want to eat the eggs, I'd just leave them be. They will make a nest for themselves in a hidden location and sit if they feel like. My pekins all lay in one spot, not randomly. The muscovies I've come in contact with find a spot too. Since they are free roaming on 40 acres, just let them do what nature intended. Less stress for you. ;-)

 

[DukesDucks]

First there are no dumb questions. Everyone had a first time with everything poultry related.
I also have Muscovy ducks. They free-range when we are not covered by snow otherwise they have a 10 x 20 covered run attached to their coop. They have always laid their eggs in the coop, usually sharing nests and sitting duties. They don't go broody (consistently sitting on eggs) until there are enough eggs. I have no idea what the ducks consider enough but it is usually when there are 6 - 8 eggs.
Since your ducks are totally free-range I guess you need to let nature run it course. Hopefully one day your females will show up leading adorable ducklings.

 

[3bird]

It looks like you've gotten some good advice above. I just wanted to say welcome! Please post pictures and keep us posted!

 

[NewduckmominGa]

Will my male duck mate with its mother? Seems gross to even ask ! Eww

 

[3bird]

Will my male duck mate with its mother? Seems gross to even ask ! Eww

Yes. They will. Inbreeding within and flocking species is relatively common and not usually an issue, especially first generation. A small flock constantly inbreeding over generations is where problems are likely to arise. At least that's my understanding.

 

[DukesDucks]

My drakes mate with their original partners, sisters, daughters, new ducks. They have no sense of propriety. That's a good reason for making sure you are adding and substracting females.