Broody duck - move nest or add onto it????

[wheresbigfoot]

Ace has decided to go broody and make a nest under the chicken coop.. even though she's got a nest box already so .. I know moving the nest can cause stress but there's no protection either. She's got a roof and fence on one side but that wont stop the rest from going under ?!

Should I make a wall of some sort ? Add something else protection wise?

Or just leave her be.. the nest is just a hole she dug in the dirt with some feathers and foil? No clue where she got that but they're free range.. foil can't be a good nest material

How do I do this without freaking her out?
Oh and she's got a nice size clutch happening already, I have a feeling she's got too many .. this should be fun

She's using my camping dishes for now.. when I move or add to it I'll get her something else

 

[chickens really]

Ace has decided to go broody and make a nest under the chicken coop.. even though she's got a nest box already so .. I know moving the nest can cause stress but there's no protection either. She's got a roof and fence on one side but that wont stop the rest from going under ?!

Should I make a wall of some sort ? Add something else protection wise?

Or just leave her be.. the nest is just a hole she dug in the dirt with some feathers and foil? No clue where she got that but they're free range.. foil can't be a good nest material

How do I do this without freaking her out?
Oh and she's got a nice size clutch happening already, I have a feeling she's got too many .. this should be fun

She's using my camping dishes for now.. when I move or add to it I'll get her something else
View attachment 1705374

Toss some straw to her. If she wants she will use it to line her nest..

 

[chickens really]

You can always move her once they begin to hatch. Just put up a safe barrier before they hatch so others can't kill them.

 

[wheresbigfoot]

Toss some straw to her. If she wants she will use it to line her nest..

Sweet I'll do that. Thanks!

 

[wheresbigfoot]

You can always move her once they begin to hatch. Just put up a safe barrier before they hatch so others can't kill them.

I've been looking around to see what I got. I really don't want to stress her out and move but definitely need something to block the others

 

[chickens really]

I've been looking around to see what I got. I really don't want to stress her out and move but definitely need something to block the others

I've never had success moving a Duck Hen. Hopefully you find something to use as a temporary fence.

 

[wheresbigfoot]

I'll do anything to not move her nest

I've got some idea's..even if it's not awesome I don't care as long as she's not a basket case cause she got moved haha

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe build some kind of fencing under there to protect her and keep them others out. Once hatch day gets close mine rarely put up a fight when I move them to the little coop I use for hatching, But by then hatch is started so they aren't about to leave those eggs.

 

[wheresbigfoot]

Maybe build some kind of fencing under there to protect her and keep them others out. Once hatch day gets close mine rarely put up a fight when I move them to the little coop I use for hatching, But by then hatch is started so they aren't about to leave those eggs.

Oh I never thought of a hatch area. .. that's a good thought . I have found some old temporary fencing stuff that I can cut down to size and make it work, I want her to be protected from everyone else (hens,ducks,dogs,kids,random animals that show up)

I put food and water in there in bowls, changed food to a plate with a tiny lip but need to get a smaller bowl . I'm concerned that she can't stand to drink out of it there's just not enough room.

I've finally seen her out foraging this am so I'll justleave her be after I put up walls

 

[Miss Lydia]

Make a way to open what ever you put up like a gate of sorts that way when she wants out usually only one time a day you can let her out that way she can poop away from the nest it will take more work on your part to let her out but she’ll have a way out and still be safe.