Help with Khaki eggs!

[ghostco]

Hi there,
Our khaki has been diligently sitting on her eggs for the last couple of weeks, but now is starting to stray from her nest .
We think it may be because we took an egg to put in the incubator over the weekend (so we didn't have to separate her from one that we want to raise inside).
Any ideas and / or advice?

 

[Amiga]

My Runners - some of them - are unpredictable when it comes to sitting. I have seen a duck sit half a day, a couple days, a couple weeks, on up to three months.

 

[ghostco]

Hmm seems like ducks in general might be unpredictable.
She was just so constant in her care for them and now suddenly is erratic.

 

[hennible]

When my chickens get a little wondery in the last little stretch of broodiness I just try to give then an extra bit of protein (scrambled eggs) wonder maybe that would help the duck want to sit longer...

 

[ghostco]

Hmm thanks for the advise. I've confined her in the coop area, with food, water and some scrambled eggs (which are coincidently her favourite treats). Hopefully she'll recommit!
We candled an egg quickly - seems to be development from when we last checked

 

[ghostco]

She's choosing to sit NEXT to the nest in the coop.
Should I try to save the eggs in an incubator? Is there a way to tell if the eggs are still alive??

 

[hennible]

Candle and watch for movement then put them in the bator.

 

[hennible]

Even if you don't see much put them in the bator, eggs are pretty tough they can handle a period of cooling mature embryos in them there's a chance. There's always a chance

 

[ghostco]

Thanks, I'll get the other half to move them when he finishes work. Fingers crossed! It's our first set of potential ducklings so we're really excited / anxious!

 

[hennible]

Here's a duck egg candling link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/304863/duck-egg-candling-photo-diary
May be handy...