Hen breaking eggs

[Cwinterz715]

Hi there,

I have a hen mallard that has been sitting on a nest for about 20-25 days now. She started with 12 but now she only has 5. Every morning there has been another broken egg. We thought it was the other ducks breaking them, so we separated them and it stopped for a couple days, but today again more broken eggs. Has anyone had this happen or know what is going on?

Also the way the duck pen is set up right now no other animals can get in to get them. So I know that is not the problem.

Thanks for any input or help !

 

[Lil Drake40]

Are there duckling in the eggs?

 

[chickens really]

She is discarding the ones that are no good...They generally will toss out bad eggs..

 

[CayugaJana]

I’ve watched a duck roll bad ones out and crush them. But I’ve also watched a Momma crunch a shell that’s hatching to help it come out. She crunched, pulled shell away little by little. I could tell she wasn’t being mean. Are the ducklings formed in the ones she crushes?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Made me wonder since they didn't say there were ducklings in the crushed eggs.

Getting close to hatch day.

 

[Cwinterz715]

Are there duckling in the eggs?

Yes there are

 

[Cwinterz715]

I’ve watched a duck roll bad ones out and crush them. But I’ve also watched a Momma crunch a shell that’s hatching to help it come out. She crunched, pulled shell away little by little. I could tell she wasn’t being mean. Are the ducklings formed in the ones she crushes?

Yes there are

 

[Miss Lydia]

So there are ducklings in the eggs and they are dead? Is she a first time mama? they can be really weird sometimes when hatching begins.

 

[Cwinterz715]

Yes they are dead, and from the looks of thing they still needed more time in the egg. And yes this is her first time laying eggs.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Unless you have a bator and take the remaining eggs she may destroy them all . Sorry this is happening I have no idea why I did have one do this her first time too.