Broody Duck Laying Eggs in Nest Outside But Chance Rain Coming

[JonesLaneChickens]

I have a broody duck right now and she made a nest under our peach tree. She has three eggs so far (one was donated by another hen) and she is really broody. But now we have a rain coming for the next three days. Do I try to cover the nest during the night and hope she goes back in there, or do I just leave it be? I am afraid that the bloom will get washed off from the rain, and she hasn't set yet. She is still laying them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd be more concerned about her being killed and eaten than the bloom being washed off. Letting a duck nest outside with out protection is just asking for trouble. Any way you can make her a secure box and put fencing around it to protect her? still won't be as secure as having her inside a well built house with a door but better than sitting out in the open.

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

I'd be more concerned about her being killed and eaten than the bloom being washed off. Letting a duck nest outside with out protection is just asking for trouble. Any way you can make her a secure box and put fencing around it to protect her? still won't be as secure as having her inside a well built house with a door but better than sitting out in the open.

We have a dog house top we're going to put over the eggs when she sets, but she hasn't set yet. I am not sure on what to do about the eggs right now till she sets. We have a protection plan in place. She is still stocking the nest right now. Are the eggs going to be okay being exposed to rain and other types of weather? I have never had a broody duck before, only one chicken and she was inside.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well other ducks[wild] lay out in the weather so most likely they will be fine as long as your not getting freezing temps and snow or ice. What breed of duck?

 

[JonesLaneChickens]

Well other ducks[wild] lay out in the weather so most likely they will be fine as long as your not getting freezing temps and snow or ice. What breed of duck?

She is a Cayuga but she is kept with a Buff Orpington male.

We actually just had a wild duck hatch out a bunch of babies. So I was trying to think of how she kept those eggs dry. That is why I was wondering about my duck's eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd just leave them, or take them away she'll lay more and maybe you can entice her to lay inside where her and eggs will be safer.

Love mamas and babies.