Duck sitting on eggs

[meeko27]

Our mallard decided she was going to make a nest with about 8 eggs give or take. My question is do ducks sleep at night like chickens? I would like to candle some if not all of the eggs but she is very protective of them. She blows up and hisses when you just look at her. I know with my chickens I could wait till dark go out and reach right under them and they wouldn't even realize what I was doing. Any advise is helpful. PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Amiga]

When my runners (the ones who do so) get broody, they make a dash in the morning and a dash in the evening outside to poop, eat, drink, swim, run around, fuss, then back into the pen.

I would take that opportunity to candle.