Broody duck

[ssmith41068]

Hello everyone!!! My 6 month old, fawn and white runner duck has decided to go broody. Her nest is in the duck house, she has piled the sides high with straw and feathers. My question is, she has not laid any eggs in the nest or anywhere else that I am aware of, should I be concerned or just give her more time? She has been broody for about 2 weeks now. Any information/advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pullet Press]

Broody birds (of any species) don't lay eggs while they're broody.

 

[Pullet Press]

Broody ducks are typically pretty rare. Take advantage of it.

 

[Weeg]

Hmm, Hey don't lay while they are broody, but I am suprised no other ducks have been giving her eggs. I am assuming you have fertile eggs from your other ducks, so maybe put some of there eggs in her nest for her to sit on. And make sure that you separate her with a baby gate maybe, like one you would put on the stairs, you could use anything really, just something, so no other ducks will disturb her on her nest. I had a huge problem with that and my last broody, I won't go into detail, but I put up a baby gate, to separated her when she tried again, and now I have 3 perfect little ducklings! Heres a pic of my broody's set up.

 

[ssmith41068]

Hmm, Hey don't lay while they are broody, but I am suprised no other ducks have been giving her eggs. I am assuming you have fertile eggs from your other ducks, so maybe put some of there eggs in her nest for her to sit on. And make sure that you separate her with a baby gate maybe, like one you would put on the stairs, you could use anything really, just something, so no other ducks will disturb her on her nest. I had a huge problem with that and my last broody, I won't go into detail, but I put up a baby gate, to separated her when she tried again, and now I have 3 perfect little ducklings! Heres a pic of my broody's set up.View attachment 2296543

Awesome set up! I have a homemade gate that my husband made for my babies when I was introducing them to the rest of the flock. I will get it out and keep the 5 other ducks away from her. I have 2 other ducks that are laying eggs, so this morning I took their eggs and placed them in her nest while she was out forging. Hopefully she will continue to sit on her nest. Thanks for the advice/info. I will keep an eye on her.

 

[ssmith41068]

Broody birds (of any species) don't lay eggs while they're broody.

Thanks for the info, I did not know that. I guess I should have said she is laying on an empty nest and has been for about 2 weeks now. She gets very upset when anything disturbs her. I placed 2 eggs from my other ducks in her nest this morning while she was out forging. I will keep an eye on her and see what happens.

 

[Daisy Minotaur]

That’s young for a broody as far as I’ve experienced.
If you want ducklings place some fertilized eggs under her and see what happens. As pullet press said broody ducks are rare take advantage of it!
If you aren’t interested in a broody duck and want her to lay eggs dismantle the nest to end the brood. she may rebuild the nest and try to brood again simply dismantle it again. It may be a while after the brood ends before she’ll lay just be patient.
Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[Weeg]

Make sure the the food is far enough away form her so she has to get up to eat and drink. Other wise she will poop in the nest and that will cause many problems. Good luck, and just make sure if you shut her in there, she doesn't give up, or decide she doesn't want to sit full time and freak out when she can get out of the fence. That never happened with my broody but she is a bit young so you want to make sure Good luck again, Avery

 

[ssmith41068]

That’s young for a broody as far as I’ve experienced.
If you want ducklings place some fertilized eggs under her and see what happens. As pullet press said broody ducks are rare take advantage of it!
If you aren’t interested in a broody duck and want her to lay eggs dismantle the nest to end the brood. she may rebuild the nest and try to brood again simply dismantle it again. It may be a while after the brood ends before she’ll lay just be patient.
Let us know what you decide to do!

I have decided to give her 2 eggs from my other two ducks! She is settled into her nest laying on the two eggs. I will keep you posted as to what happens!

 

[ssmith41068]

Make sure the the food is far enough away form her so she has to get up to eat and drink. Other wise she will poop in the nest and that will cause many problems. Good luck, and just make sure if you shut her in there, she doesn't give up, or decide she doesn't want to sit full time and freak out when she can get out of the fence. That never happened with my broody but she is a bit young so you want to make sure Good luck again, Avery

She did freak out when I first put the pen up around her house but she is fine now!! Food and water are as far away as possible. When I checked on her this morning, she had left the nest to drink and take a swim in her water pan. Will keeping posting as to what transpires.