Help gathering eggs without stressing the flock

[MightFly]

My ducks and my drake are all super protective of the nest. If I gather the eggs they become very stressed, even if I wait until they are out roaming around. One duck actually seems to get despondent about it, walking around and quacking. I don't know what to do! I've got 3 ducklings as a result of my guilt, who are an adorble mix of pekin and Cayuga. I've tried using dummy eggs (plastic) but they just kick them out. It doesn't seem to matter to the ducks if the eggs are fertile or not.

Any suggestions?

 

[TLWR]

Just keep taking the eggs. They will get over it

 

[MightFly]

They will get over it, but will I? I'm like marshmallow.

 

[Amiga]

I found ceramic eggs - those seem to work pretty well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They will get over it, but will I? I'm like marshmallow.

@MightFly I just keep taking their eggs and I am still working on getting over it. I do it anyway I know I have too. .