Could it be?? Isolde has gone broody?

[aduckstolemyheart]

I think Isolde went broody.

I am absolutely shocked. The past few days, I keep seeing the other three ducks, but not Isolde. Today I went out back to search for her, and found her on the nest with their eggs! She got a little grouchy with me when I went over to her, but did come out to eat. At first I thought she might be sick, but she's laying on the egg nest. Sounds broody not sick right??

I have no idea if any of the eggs are viable. It's been chilly here these days (highs in the 50's with lows in the mid-upper 30's), but decided not to collect their eggs the past couple of weeks to see what happened. What are the chances of any of them being viable, or her being able to keep them going? I don't have a 'bator yet so I can't take them, it's all up to her.

Any thoughts?? (if you can't tell this is my first experience with broody hens or hatching!)

 

[Wifezilla]

If she has been on the nest, they very well could be viable. She should kick any that aren't out of the nest.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

Thanks Wifezilla! She just starting laying on them the last few days. Maybe she was waiting for the pile to get big enough? I just wasn't sure how long they can be uncovered while they collect them and still be good. Good to know she should kick the bad ones out.

Sounds like she's broody, not sick, or she wouldn't be on the eggs right?

Gosh, it's so exciting that she may get to be a mama!

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

She is still on the eggs this morning, and is proving to be a very dedicated layer.

Any tips on caring for a broody girl? I have about a million questions right now, as this is my first broody experience. But I figure the most important one is how best to care for her, does she need her own space closer to hatching? special nutrition? What are the risks?