Broody?

[KelC0308]

My moms Muscovy has a nest with 17 eggs in it, in order for them to hatch if they're fertile will she need to sit on them the whole time? She sits on them at times and at times she's up playing with the other ducks.

 

[ChickenLove6]

I don't know much about ducks but with broody hens they should be sitting on the eggs for most of the time so I think it's the same for ducks. How long is she off them for? With hens the eggs are usually okay to be left for up to 15minutes, without a hen sat on them, sometimes even 30.

 

[KelC0308]

When we first noticed her on some eggs it was right at the corner of the porch so she was getting the water dripping from the edge of the porch and she was soaked she got up to prune herself and to eat. We covered the nest so that she wouldn't get water on her so left it open so she could get in an out.

 

[ChickenLove6]

Well if she keeps returning to the eggs I'm sure they'll be alright. She will know how long she can leave them for. Good luck with the hatch!

 

[KelC0308]

Thanks! The wait is gonna kill me lol

 

[ChickenLove6]

I know the feeling!