Indian runner ducklings

[elizabeth21]

Our runner hatched 2 ducklings last Sunday (which, based on my notation of her brooding was only 22 days), 1 yesterday and there are still about 10 eggs she's laying on. I'm expecting that any of the eggs that will hatch, should do so over the next couple of days. My question is, being that 2 of them are nearly a week old already, how long should she continue to lay? I'm not too worried right now, the two oldest roam around the house and seem content, but at some point will her focus change from laying to taking the ducklings out and showing them the world?

Also, when I noted her broodiness, I marked the 12 eggs in her clutch. Then, a week or so later, she was off her best, so I took a look and there were 16 eggs. Some of the marks from the initial 12 were no longer visible so I left them all. I know, maybe not the best approach, but I know the eggs were laid after she'd already started setting the others, so that makes me extra confused as to when to expect them to hatch. If hate to pull them if they're going to hatch soon, but I'm uncertain if this is good or bad for the existing ducklings or her? My instinct tells me to let nature run it's course and that she will do what's right, however, there's not a lot of info on the subject since very few domestic ducks actually follow through with setting...

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

As long as the duckling are getting enough to eat and drink, I would leave her alone until she gives up. It is odd behavior. In my experience most hens, both chicken and duck, leave the nest within 36 hours after the chicks/ducklings hatch.

 

[elizabeth21]

That's kinda what I thought, but have no experience to base it on.

They are getting plenty to eat and drink, looking very healthy. As far as I can tell, she literally has not left the nest at all since last Sunday. However, another duckling just hatched. I saw a cracked shell this morning and went to check now and sure enough, another duckling. 4 total, 2 hatched last Sunday, 1 yesterday, and another today.

Maybe she just knows the others are on the way?

 

[sourland]

She may very well hear them peeping in the egg and be reluctant to leave the nest because of that.