Duck eggs didn't hatch, how to get duck off nest

[foxtailfarmers]

Our 1 1/2 year old Buff Orpington duck went broody and sat on a nest of eggs for over 5 weeks. It's (past) time to give up, but I am having a very hard time getting her off the nest - this morning I chased her off and covered the eggs with a tray but she seems very distressed and stands next to it quacking. I opened the door to the coop (we had her in an extra coop alone while brooding). All the other ducks are free-ranging and splashing outside loudly so hoping she eventually will go be with them but I feel so bad for her - any suggestions?

On a related note - wondering why none of the eggs hatched. She had a huge clutch - started with close to 20 I would guess, about mid way through started kicking them out (which I had read was common so didn't worry about it), I think there are still 6-8 in the nest when I chased her off this morning. Two active drakes in the flock for 10 hens, so I would guess some or most had been fertilized.

Thanks all!

 

[sourland]

Twenty eggs were probably too many for her to keep adequately incubated. I would remove the eggs, clean the nest site, and lock her out of that coop. She will complain loudly for several days, but will get over it. Extended brooding can debilitate a bird so it's all for her good to break her.

 

[foxtailfarmers]

Thanks. I now realize we should have removed some of the eggs when she started sitting because there were too many, live and learn I guess. Will do as you suggest I definitely will have to herd her and lock her out of the coop to get to the eggs. Or risk being bitten! She hisses and lunges when I get close to her.

 

[wornoutmomto3]

I just had a hen who would brood a rock if she couldn't find an egg to sit on. No matter what I did she wouldn't give up on being broody. She was like this for close to two months. Finally, I took pity on her and slipped some day-old babies under her to "mother." Within a day she was back up and showing those babies how to eat and drink. I did isolate her and the babies with some high protein chick starter.

It is a hormone issue that is telling her it is time to be a mom. If you know someone with some duckling babies that just hatched you could see if they will give/sell a couple for you to slip under her, and let her be a mom.

 

[MamaBearLerch]

Same thing is happening with my Rouen duck hen. She has been sitting for 5 weeks now I'm going to have to take the eggs out and convince her to go about her business. I feel so bad for her I imagine being equivalent to a miscarriage and it's just so sad