Help! Momma mallard

[Weeg]

I have a mallard that is about a week into her incubation period with about 7 eggs. She has been separated from the flock so that no one will join her on the nest. (that happened ounce and it was a disaster!) I have some photos of her setup to make sure that isn't going to cause any problems. Now i jus have a few questions. First, we have two chickens separated with our ducks so they can heal from being picked on by our rooster, so she was sitting on about 2 chicken eggs. We left for the weekend and we think one of our chickens was hopping into her inclosure and laying her eggs underneath her, so now there are more like four or five eggs. I am planning on taking the chicken eggs out, but what would be the best away to do that without stressing her to much? Plus, she has such a small clutch that if i take the chicken eggs she will only have 4 or 5 duck eggs left. Is that a problem? If so, is it too late to give her more duck eggs to sit on that our other ducks have layed? Thanks, Avery
PS. The A-frame looks bigger in the picture then it really is, she's jus ta little duck.

 

[Weeg]

 

[BantyChooks]

I have a mallard that is about a week into her incubation period with about 7 eggs. She has been separated from the flock so that no one will join her on the nest. (that happened ounce and it was a disaster!) I have some photos of her setup to make sure that isn't going to cause any problems. Now i jus have a few questions. First, we have two chickens separated with our ducks so they can heal from being picked on by our rooster, so she was sitting on about 2 chicken eggs. We left for the weekend and we think one of our chickens was hopping into her inclosure and laying her eggs underneath her, so now there are more like four or five eggs. I am planning on taking the chicken eggs out, but what would be the best away to do that without stressing her to much? Plus, she has such a small clutch that if i take the chicken eggs she will only have 4 or 5 duck eggs left. Is that a problem? If so, is it too late to give her more duck eggs to sit on that our other ducks have layed? Thanks, Avery
PS. The A-frame looks bigger in the picture then it really is, she's jus ta little duck.

I wouldn't give her any new duck eggs, that will cause problems with hatch timeframes. How tame is she? Taking the eggs at night should cause minimal stress.

 

[Weeg]

I haven’t added any more duck eggs. I managed to get chicken eggs away with tongs, but the third one was at the back of her nest so I couldn't get it. She is super tame tho, SOemtiems I will sit int her with her and talk to her and she will just sit her with her beak tucked under her wing, so cute! I will get the other egg tonight maybe, I like that idea. Now without the chicken eggs she will only be sitting on 3 duck eggs, that won't be problem right?

 

[BantyChooks]

I haven’t added any more duck eggs. I managed to get chicken eggs away with tongs, but the third one was at the back of her nest so I couldn't get it. She is super tame tho, SOemtiems I will sit int her with her and talk to her and she will just sit her with her beak tucked under her wing, so cute! I will get the other egg tonight maybe, I like that idea. Now without the chicken eggs she will only be sitting on 3 duck eggs, that won't be problem right?

It shouldn't be. I've found that even single hatchlings adjust well when raised under a broody.

 

[Weeg]

Awesome! Thanks so much!

 

[BantyChooks]

Good luck!

 

[Weeg]

 

[Weeg]

You guys hav eno idea how greatful I am fo your help! Me and momma finally got wha twe we hopping for! I am so excited and I let the m ou tin the pond today away from the flock! Hey are 4 days old and I am so in love! Thank you again so much!