How often do ducks leave the nest?

[Babbette3741]

I have a female Welsh Harlequin sitting on a nest of 12 eggs. There are also two males in the flock (my other female died ) Leslie, my female, had been sitting all day every day since August 7th, taking only a break at about 5:30 for like 20 minutes. Yesterday and today she has been leaving the nest a lot for what seems like an hour at a time. She goes back to sit, but I'm worried she's is starting to give up. It has been in the low 80's this week, so is it warm enough for her to leave the eggs w/o them getting harmed? She has food and water next to her nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a female Welsh Harlequin sitting on a nest of 12 eggs. There are also two males in the flock (my other female died

) Leslie, my female, had been sitting all day every day since August 7th, taking only a break at about 5:30 for like 20 minutes. Yesterday and today she has been leaving the nest a lot for what seems like an hour at a time. She goes back to sit, but I'm worried she's is starting to give up. It has been in the low 80's this week, so is it warm enough for her to leave the eggs w/o them getting harmed? She has food and water next to her nest.

When she leaves again I think I'd candle she may know something you don't. I don't think I've ever had a broody stay off the nest for an hour. Here's a chart to show you what you'll be seeing at the day she is on. http://wildliferehabber.com/sites/default/files/wr_duckeggchart.jpg