How long should I wait until I break the nest?

[chickensducks&agoose]

I've got 2 ducks who are sitting on 2 nests. They started setting 4 weeks ago this past monday... so we're at about 31 days. I can't reach the nests, or see the nests, but I did poke around with a rake handle and there are certainly eggs in it. They may or may not even be fertile, our sole male is a partially disabled mallard, and these setting ladies are a pekin and a KC. He has certainly managed to... uh... fertilize? at least one of the other hens, but I really don't even know about these eggs. I think most of our hens laid eggs in these nests, but only 2 decided to set. How much longer do I have to wait? At what point do I rake out the ducks, the nests and the eggs? It smells kind of stinky under there, but not at all what I'd expect if the eggs were rotten...

 

[Saltysteele]

were they actually setting 24/7? my question is, are you sure of the incubation beginning date? it's hard to tell when they actually start brooding sometimes. i would give them time (i've heard up to a week longer for natural hatching).

don't know for sure, though, and am not a duck person, but here's a bump to the top