First Time Mother Duck

[charlotte18]

Any help appreciated,
My female duck is about 3 years old and has never really shown any interest in sitting on a nest before however she has recently made a nest with 9 eggs in. She spends a lot of time in the day sat on it and we checked an egg when she was in bed and there does appear to be ducklings growing. Tonight we had to take her off the nest to put her in her bed which we've never had to do before. Should we leave her out at night to sit on the eggs at the risk she might get attacked or should we take the eggs away from her?
Thanks

 

[AmandaVirus]

I would definitely not risk her getting killed, you may be able to move the eggs into her bed area and she might sit on them again. Where is the nest at? Would you be able to move the nest into her bed?

 

[charlotte18]

The nest is in a bush at the back of the garden. Quite hard to get to and where I live the only risk I am concerned about is rats stealing the eggs. I am able to move it into her bed area however I am worried the male duck may break them. Would it be worth bringing them in and putting them in an incubator instead?

 

[subhanalah]

The nest is in a bush at the back of the garden. Quite hard to get to and where I live the only risk I am concerned about is rats stealing the eggs. I am able to move it into her bed area however I am worried the male duck may break them. Would it be worth bringing them in and putting them in an incubator instead? 

or separating your drake until the babies are big enough to handle being around him.