First time hatching attempt, any advice?

[Miss Lydia]

It's so much fun to watch them growing and so amazing too.

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

It's so much fun to watch them growing and so amazing too.

I really can't wait, I'm trying not to get too excited because I know things can go wrong but I can't help it!!

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

So I checked the eggs last week and one was missing and the same thing happened this morning only I found an empty duck egg shell a bit away, could something be stealing the eggs???

Also what should I do if she decides to stop sitting on them, we put them under her after a while of her sitting, maybe she doesn't think anything is happening? We don't have an incubator but there should be less than a week left

 

[WVduckchick]

Had you confirmed that they were all growing? Momma ducks will usually try to dispose of non-viable ones in the final week. I believe she can hear and feel them, and knows which ones are not going to hatch, so she boots them out of the nest.

I have had them roll them quite some distance. If it was clear to begin with, the disposal attempt could have broken the egg. I even had one duck roll one up and into the swimming pool. 14” high wall! I’m still not sure how she got it in there!

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

Had you confirmed that they were all growing? Momma ducks will usually try to dispose of non-viable ones in the final week. I believe she can hear and feel them, and knows which ones are not going to hatch, so she boots them out of the nest.

I have had them roll them quite some distance. If it was clear to begin with, the disposal attempt could have broken the egg. I even had one duck roll one up and into the swimming pool. 14” high wall! I’m still not sure how she got it in there!

I think the one that disappeared yesterday was visible and I checked all around but can't find any trace of it, the one gone today wasn't and I was a actually going out to remove it but it wasn't there
There was however an empty broken egg shell a bit away so maybe she removed it before me, but the first one I'm still unsure about

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

There are many cats and crows around the place plus the chickens, so was hoping to bring duck and ducklings in when hatched but just wondering should they be brought in while still eggs with the nest or when would be the best time? Leaving them out isn't really an option

We don't want to disrupt her or deter her from staying on them, due date is Tuesday 13th

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can you put something around her to protect her? They really don’t liked to be moved. I’ve moved with success when hatching starts but before is a gamble.

 

[E.D.GardenFarm]

Can you put something around her to protect her? They really don’t liked to be moved. I’ve moved with success when hatching starts but before is a gamble.

Possibly could until hatched, would it be okay to move after hatching?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes def get them to safety then. Once you see or hear the first duckling you can move them. But if you can secure her for the time being that would be best.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve moved many a Muscovy when hatching has started and after but this year my duck hatched 2 ducklings inside the coop but up on the poop board under the roost not a safe place for ducklings. So I set her up in the coop with her own area fenced off from everyone she had a fit would t stay with them so I ended up bringing them inside and brooded them myself. Never had this from my duck before maybe age she is 8 now. But she really surprised me. I am telling you this so you can have planB ready just in case.