Duck only brooding in AM?

[jus10inla]

Hen - Pekin.
Eggs- 15 to 20

Predicament. Shes been hoarding them and stealing from the other 2 ducks til she got a good clutch. However she only sits about 4-5 hrs a day ; from 5/ 6 am to around 10 /11 am.

I would say been about a week like this. She has some directly under her and then in a circle around her all covered up.

Is this normal, or is she not fully committed yet / dont begin my 28 day timer yet.

Fyi pics arent in order; just how I grabbed out of phone. I made a makeshift fence to keep ny dogs & whatever else out.. she comes In straight from pond

 

[jus10inla]

I left the house at 5:10 am , she wasnt on them. I just got an alert of activity and she just sat. (5:57am)

It was lower 50s all nite. I just dont see how only brooding in am is gona hatch. Especially since this wk there talkin mid 40s at nite

 

[Yardmom]

Yes ducks do part time sitting before they really set. I wouldn't start counting yet. You do need to clean up the nest so she doesn't have eggs that don't fit under her. If she has too many they get rotated out and the whole clutch will be ruined.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd get her down to around 10 eggs so she can keep them all warm once she begins to sit full-time. Once full time then you begin count down.

 

[jus10inla]

You do need to clean up the nest so she doesn't have eggs that don't fit under her

So i know shes been rotating them out bc the numbers are not where they were the day before . She fans her wings once she goes down. Its crazy ive never seen a duck brood; she literally has them in a clock position perfectly placed then covered up. Except for the few under her.

I'd get her down to around 10 eggs so she can keep them all warm

So I should remove the oldest then. Good thing I numbered .
Should i wait til she starts setting full time or do it now .
Scared if i do it now shes gona just regrow the clutch.

Also crazy thing i saw is the swedish mix hen came and laid beside her and helped cover the eggs a few times

 

[Isadora]

Scared if i do it now shes gona just regrow the clutch.

She may try but you just have to keep removing eggs every day.

 

[jus10inla]

Shes stil posted up. Her dog brother is just off camera not letting anything mess with her

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

My first time my pekin went broody I to was confused
She would do a few hours a day if sitting but she was also still laying eggs
She won’t truly sit until she is done making her clutch
Ducks don’t count eggs so you can start removing some older ones
If you do have an incubator handy I would have it ready ti go in case once she does start if she walks off the job you can continue the batch

 

[jus10inla]

She would do a few hours a day if sitting but she was also still laying eggs
She won’t truly sit until she is done making her clutch

So the crazy btch tryi to brood 25?? Lol.

 

[jus10inla]

Id say shes about 2- 2.5 yrs old