How much should she sit?

[Ardizzone7]

I have a Pekin duck that recently has gone broody on her nest of 9 eggs. I am worried that she isn't sitting enough. Some days she is very attentive but others she doesn't sit much at all. She is into her second week. I am agraid she isn't a very good mother. How much should she be setting each day?

 

[Amiga]

The eggs will be okay with some time off. But I don't know the numbers.

Sometimes a duck will seem broody then just walk off the job.

If you want ducklings, you may need to stand by with a sanitized incubator ready.

 

[Ardizzone7]

I don't have an incubator so I guess we will just see if she finishes the job. . We would love to have ducklings but if not that is ok too. Thank you.

 

[carcar80]

When my duck goes broody we only see her at one or two very set- and very brief- times per day. She sits a LOT.

Pekins aren't really bred to be broody anyway, so that may be it. But stranger things have happened..

 

[Ardizzone7]

I know. That is why I was wondering how long they sit for. I am amazed she is sitting at all. My last Pekin just dropped her egg where she stood. Didn't matter if she was in the coop or on the driveway.

 

[jdywntr]

In order for the eggs to be properly incubated, she would need to set all day and night with only 1-2 15-30 minute sessions off of the nest. If she is off for longer periods or more often the eggs will most likely chill and any development will stop. The eggs would be essentially "dead". You can candle them and see how it's going. Or just wait.

 

[Ardizzone7]

Thanks! She has been off all day. When I went to check the best there are about 20 eggs in there. Looks like all the girls decided to start laying tree. I am going to just get rid of them. I don't want them to rot. Thank you for all your help.