Duck going broody?

[ChickenMom04]

Recently I noticed my female khaki Campbell duck hiding more and not being around when I would come to check on her and my drake. I noticed she was hiding in long grass in the far corner of our pen, sitting on a nest of 5-ish eggs. She got up as soon as she saw me and began to run off, quacking more violently than usual, feathers puffed up. It was unusual that the nest wasn’t in the duck house, but then I thought maybe she wanted more privacy since the duck house is opened every now and then to refill food and water. Could she be broody? She is 3 years old and has never done this before. The old drake we had never really bred with her, but he died and we got our current drake just a couple months ago. I haven’t SEEN them mate, but it’s probably a good possibility that they have. We are leaving the eggs alone and I’ll be candling them in a few days to see if anything is happening and if the eggs are actually fertilized. Any tips?

 

[sourland]

Let her do her thing. Hopefully the eggs are fertile, and you will have a successful hatch.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She could be broody, or just laying a clutch. A broody hen will generally stay on the nest nearly 24 hours.

 

[ChickenMom04]

She could be broody, or just laying a clutch. A broody hen will generally stay on the nest nearly 24 hours.

Ive paid close attention to when she's on/off the nest, and it seems she isnt off for more than an hour. she doesnt seem to be laying any more eggs than the 6 she has in her nest. as long as you come near her from outside the fence, she knows you're not able to get to her and doesn't run. but she does stand up, fluff her feathers, quack, and use her bill to arrange the hay to cover her eggs. it's been pretty humid here, so assuming the eggs ARE fertile, how long is "safe" for her to be off the nest?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Up to an hour can be fine. In warmer weather my muscovy hens will stand over the eggs for part of the day. You should know in about 28 days.

 

[Spanielkiss]

Up to an hour can be fine. In warmer weather my muscovy hens will stand over the eggs for part of the day. You should know in about 28 days.

Thats interesting to hear . My muscovy is a week or so from hatching and she keeps standing over her eggs its very hot here so maybe shes worried she cooks them lol . There were 16 but I took 3 away that were empty . Hoping for good news in a few days

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Muscovy hens seem to be great at taking the temperature of their eggs. Hopefully you get a great hatch.

 

[Spanielkiss]

Will post if we get a successful hatch . Im very excited