Incubating vs leaving hen to hatch

[EverythingZen]

i am fairly certain we have our first viable and fertile nest. I candles the other night and most have veins and a good air sac. 2 weren't fertile though. The Muscovy built a beautiful nest and is very diligent with them so far. They all free range, and I'm getting worried that something will happen to the eggs or babies if/when they hatch. Us and the ducks are first timers with this, and we are also a little worried that if we intervene and incubate that we might stuff up and lose all of them.
Any advice or tips?

 

[Paulinefrn]

Not an expert, but speaking from my own experience. I would leave the eggs where they are, but checking the nest often enough to make sure the mom doesn't give it up. Every time i leave mine incubate eggs, i get 100% survivors. Only once did i need to intervene during a hatching as the inner membrane had dried up a bit and the baby was stuck, but otherwise everyone got out without any problems! plus, it's less trouble for you and it is much easier when they raises the babies themselves.

 

[chickens really]

I would allow her to raise them. Where did she nest?..Is it possible to put a fence around her with a shelter? Momma raised do so much better than we could ever do.

 

[Paulinefrn]

I have chickens, but i can't imagine why it would be different for ducks!

 

[chickens really]

Also Muscovy take 35 days to incubate.
Ducks don't do well if you try to move the nest so leave it where it is..

 

[EverythingZen]

I think I'm leaning toward letting her do this on her own. I was reading through some incubation threads and honestly don't think I'd have the skill to help if any eggs needed it.
She's built the nest in a fairly awkward place, but it will be easy enough to corner her in there so she can still get out easily and hopefully predators can't get in.. though Australia is having huge drought problems currently so we've got lots of wildlife on the move. It doesn't help that her nest is in the filter cage of our 55,000 litre swimming pool and is attracting all kinds of visitors.

is it best to lock her up with the nest and just take food to her? She's got angel wing and finds flying a little tricky, but she can manage to get out of the pool fence to mingle and forage with the other ducks morning and evening. I don't want to build a cage around her if being trapped in there is going to distress her?

 

[chickens really]

Do what ever your happy with. Once Ducklings are hatched you can move her and Ducklings to a safe pen away from the other Ducks.

 

[EverythingZen]

Thanks heaps for the advice everyone. I feel much better now with the decision to let her stay in charge.