Duck eggs getting rotten ... two hatched but dead .... help

[jkie]

My hen has been sitting on numerous eggs for more than a month, I keep checking them but some just get rotten. Two I have noticed were broken open but the duckling was dead. Her nest is in the pen and I am allowing her to do her own thing .... I have her covered so she stays out of the sun ... but ... I am at a loss here. I read one of your replies that said a drake will kill a duckling I don't know if he is. Any suggestions here ... I have provided calcium and she is fed lay pellets AND lay crumble.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you removed the rotten eggs and the 2 dead ducklings? How many eggs are left? I know it's good to let the duck do her own thing but providing safety is important Drakes can kill ducklings is yours? we don't know but I do think if she is still sitting on eggs and you want any to hatch I'd some how give her tempo fencing so she can hatch any more that may be viable. Then at least you'll know if it was your drake or maybe the broody they can get crazy once hatching starts too. If there are any left to hatch why not candle so you'll know for sure and if the rest are rotten or duds. Then you can break up the nest and get her out of there.

Very sorry for your losses.

 

[jkie]

Thank you so much .... I will take your advice and fence her in, in her own blocked off pen ... on Monday I will go over to the feed store and pick up some fencing for her .... also I took someones advice and removed the food for the night ... I was wondering if a rat killed them or something ... OK .... Monday we'll set up something new ... she must be sitting on 20 eggs ..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep us updated!!!

 

[chickens really]

Candle all the remaining eggs and remove the duds. It's also possible that Momma is killing them as they start hatching if this is her first clutch..Best wishes..