Duck laying on eggs.

[Ewells]

Well I have a male and female duck and for the last 2 years we have been taking all the eggs that were laid daily. We went away for a week and had a friend look after the ducks and they never collected any of the eggs. Too our surprise when we came home our female duck made a nest and is laying on the eggs. We decided to see what happens , , so I candle lit the eggs 2 weeks later and all 5 eggs are fertile.
What do I do now!!! Do I just let the mom take care of the duckling on her own when they hatch or am I suppose to do something else. I’m lost!!
They are free range during the day and go into a enclosed pen in the evening .
Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[sourland]

and good luck with the incubation/hatch. Mom will know what to do. Keep an eye on the drake with the ducklings. Most are fine, but some are not. What breed are your ducks ?

 

[Ewells]

and good luck with the incubation/hatch. Mom will know what to do. Keep an eye on the drake with the ducklings. Most are fine, but some are not. What breed are your ducks ?

Thanks. Hen mallard and drake Pekin

 

[neo71665]

If mom went broody and is sitting on them she knows what to do. I'd just watch her after they hatch. Sometimes birds abandon the little ones after the hatch is over. Not common enough I would worry, just something to keep an eye out.

All mallards I've ever owned made great mommas

 

[sourland]

Mallard hens are great mothers. The pekin drake is a question mark. Have a 'Plan B' in mind in case he becomes aggressive to the ducklings or tries to breed the hen while she is setting.

 

[Ewells]

I will keep an eye out after they hatch to make sure he doesn’t get aggressive . So far he stays close to her always looking for danger and sleeps next to her at night.