Can I add eggs to a broody's clutch?

[sparkles2307]

I have a broody duck, but shes only sitting on 6 eggs, and theres a nest of 12 eggs sitting alone. Can I add a few without upsetting her if I wait till she goes to eat and be sure not to disturb too much of the nest?

 

[wegotchickens]

If she's really broody, and you put the eggs within her reach, she will pull them under her by herself.

That works with my chickens, anyway. Don't have ducks!

 

[sparkles2307]

Good news, the day I posted this I went home and my Cayuga was broody on the big clutch! So I have 9 week olds, 20 in the bator, 6 under one, and 12 under the other broody. I'm gonna have ducks out my ears! DH shakes his head and tells me "good thing they're for eating!"

 

[pgpoultry]

As an answer to your original question, yes you can, but a good idea to only do this in the first day or so of sitting or the hatch will be too prolonged. BUT, you don't need to do that now anyway!
Good Lock,
Sandie

 

[sparkles2307]

Now I have to get the CHICKEN eggs out of the big clutch, so she doesnt abandon the duck eggs a week early!