Broody runner hen?

[cottontail farm]

I thought it would be obvious if a duck has gone broody but now I'm not sure. I was pulling eggs every day but about two weeks ago I noticed that when I would try, the drake would come over, peck my hand and then move the egg with his beak. Hen could have cared less.I figured he was trying to tell me something so I started letting the eggs sit. Now she has a pretty nest with about 14 eggs. But it sems like she's only staying with them about half the day. When she gets off the nest, she's off of it for like an hour before she goes back. Is there a chance she'll have a hatch being off the nest this much?

 

[Amiga]

I think it could work, but we don't know for sure ahead of time.

Some ducks will be semi broody for a while, then lock themselves down and only get up once or twice a day for a broody poop (peeeee U), some water, food, and sometimes frantic splashing in the swimming tub.

Some will walk off the nest halfway through. It's a bit of a mystery, and you may want to line up a sanitized incubator ahead of time.

 

[cottontail farm]

Update: eggs are hatching! As of this evening she has 5 babies under her and 5 eggs left. They are so tiny and adorable! Do I absolutely have to separate the drake? So far he's been busy guarding the door to the duck house and hovering over the nest when I come near them.

 

[Amiga]

Please just watch, watch, watch. Each drake is different. Don't assume something won't change - but if he's guarding, that sounds okay. I am not a hatcher, so I don't know the likelihood that he will turn on them in the night. Wish I could say more comforting things.

Congratulations! Tiny Runners are so sweet!