Ducks nest & Chickens laying

[LollynPoppy]

Question #1. My sweet crested duck has started building her nest but the chickens like it so much that they have decided to add to it. We have been removing the chicken eggs but I am afraid that when she decides it is time to brood they will scare her off. Her mate is not the "bravest" when it comes to the chickens. Chickens and Ducks are all free rangers except at night. Any suggestions for keeping the chickens out while giving Penelope & Pierre access to their nest? (French names to match their berets)

Question #2. This morning upon checking the nest there were 3 NEW EGGS. This was before the chickens were let out. We do have one more female duck. Would they share a nest? Would one of them lay 2 eggs? Would Penelope lay 3 eggs overnight? I know... that is a compound question... feel free to charge extra...

This duck-grandma business is serious stuff!! Thanks in advance!

 

[CarleeAnn]

Ducks will definietly share a nest! I personally have never had one of my girls lay two eggs over night but I’ve read about other ducks that have.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well about the only way to give Penelope and Pierre their own space is separating them from chickens having access to it. I find with my own chickens and most of my ducks are afraid of some of my LF bullies that they love to lay in a communal nest whether it be duck or chicken

 

[PirateGirl]

All of my ducks lay in the same nest every day.

All of my chickens lay in the same nest box every day unless one gets bullied out.

 

[lomine]

If she is truly broody and chased from the nest she will find another spot. So far I've only dealt with broody chickens but I have had the problem of other hens trying to lay in the nest. I currently have two broody hens, one with one week old chicks and one still on the nest. I have one hen who is top of the pecking order. It doesn't matter which nest the broody was in she wanted to use it. She'd push them out but as soon as she was done they would go right back to their eggs. I just mark the eggs for broody and check everyday for any unmarked eggs and remove them.