Broody duck kicking out eggs

[Chickens_52]

i have a broody magpie that’s been sitting on her eggs for about three weeks now. She’s a small duck and I thought that 16 eggs was way too much for her in the first place, but had no idea where she started the nest.
About a week ago, I caught her running from the nest, quacking loudly and carrying a broken egg in her mouth. She dropped it far away from her nest and went back to sitting. The egg was somewhat developed with veins. She’s done this a total of 6 times now, the last egg today with a small, dead duckling inside.
Does anyone know why she could be doing this with her eggs? Each of them look like they should be doing fine for how long they’ve been incubated. Could she know if they’re not developing properly? Or is she accidentally cracking them and then moving them out of the nest as to not get it too messy?
Thanks for any help!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Could she know if they’re not developing properly?

Unlikely. I've heard of their kicking out rotten eggs, which I can buy; rotten eggs stink, and their sense of smell is comparable to a human's, but I have a duck out there right now who is setting on three duck eggs, six chicken eggs, and a golf ball (I should really take the golf ball.) I've had a broody 'scovy babysit bantam eggs for me when the mum bantam had a staggered hatch; I've had bantams set duck eggs. If it's vaguely round, a broody'll set on it.

Or is she accidentally cracking them and then moving them out of the nest as to not get it too messy?

That's the possibility I think likely. It's also possible she got hungry and is eating them. I've had two broody hens do that in the past. Never a duck, though.

EDT: You can reduce the possibility of her breaking the eggs by making sure her nest is properly built (bowl shape) and well-bedded with hay. My ducks'll let me fuss with the nest that much.

 

[Chickens_52]

I’ve put food and water in there for her and don’t shes just hungry since she doesn’t eat any, just drops it out in the yard. It looks like she built the nest right as well. Thanks!

 

[Helloworld]

Ducks are terrible mothers. They will lay and think the drake is responsible for keeping them up. My drakes should be working for USPS in the shipping egg department. They are ocd about it.

She knows if they are no good. I would also inspect the nest for a rat snake hole below it. They will burrow under the hay and eat egg by egg. You saying she running from nest looks like a predator situation she not happy about.
I have had them do this when two hens are using same nest. They don’t like that which may be why she throwing extra eggs out. Also, they will sometimes have an excess amount of eggs if they do not think the nest is safe and then later choose what they are going to lay on which for my swedish is around 8-10. My ducks do not remove bad eggs, they instead place new dirt on top and start over. My girls are crazy. If one lays an egg in their nest they will try to move their eggs which may be the case but you do not mention other hens.
The best way to see is to install a cheap camera and watch.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Ducks are terrible mothers.

Mine are great. Except Mallards. I despise Mallards.

I would also inspect the nest for a rat snake hole below it. They will burrow under the hay and eat egg by egg.

I don't have a ton of snakes in my area, so correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the snake eat eggs whole?

 

[iluvsedward]

My duck rolled out an egg that wasnt developing. Only 1/3 was developing so i left all 3 there so she wouldnt stop sitting, but she took matters into her own hands. I was very surprised!

 

[Chickens_52]

Thanks for all the help!! But the hen ended up kicking out all eggs but one. They were due to hatch any day now, so we’ll see how the last one goes.

 

[Samiam71144]

My broody duck has been on the nest for over 3 weeks. She started with 14 and now only has six. Yesterday I found an egg broken open with a dead duckling inside under the membrane. Is she getting impatient? I don’t know what happened to the other eggs.