Hens nesting??

[newbyduckmom]

I have three hens. One is laying, the others are just about 4 months old. Last night, in the middle of then night when I couldn't sleep, I turned on our duck cam in the duck house, and watched all three hens moving all the bedding to the one corner of the duck house. This morning they had a nice big nest with the sole egg I get in the center of the nest. The bowl that I leave they oyster shell in was inverted and sitting square on top of the egg (I assume this was a coincidence? Tomorrow I will take a camera out with me) The nests started appearing about 2 weeks ago, and I just assumed my laying hen was responsible.

So my questions are:
(1) is it unusual for ducks that are not laying to build nests,
(2) is it typical for ducks to start building nests after they have been laying for awhile?

It was interesting to watch. But it surprised me. We do not have nest boxes in their house for them, but maybe I should get one? The hen that is laying has started hanging around the egg when I open the duck house in the morning and appears to be trying to protect it. (Guilt!!!)

 

[chookhead]

sounds like u will have a broody on your hands soon so i would get them a nesting box or any sort of shelter thatis quiet drak and private and they will lay in it and leave the eggs if u have a roo and u will have ur self little chciks lol good luck

 

[newbyduckmom]

So if I continue to collect her eggs as I really don't want to hatch any ducklings, what will she do? Do I have to do something to prevent her from going broody or stop it? Will she stop laying eggs? She still leaves the house everyday, but the nest reappears every time I clean the duck house.