HELP! Snake in ducks nest...need advice!

[critters]

ok...passing Muscovy sitting duck and saw that she was gone from nest BUT a snake was there instead!...I killed the snake! but now I am
not sure if my Muscovy will return to her nest??? should I gather eggs and incubate or just give her time to return?..or not?
afraid if eggs are left unattended too long they will not be any good....we are having hotter temps here lately but not same as momma....momma duck has only been sitting for 3 days??
what do ya'll think??

 

[Oregon Blues]

It's very normal for a duck to be off her nest during the day. I suggest that you leave it be and see if she returns to the nest by evening. If so, your eggs will be OK.

Unless the snake was gigantic, it wouldn't scare her off her nest, so she was probably off th nest and the snake was going to take advantge of the opportunity to steal an egg.