Khaki Campbell Disappeared: Long shot, but could she be on a nest?

[BrookBottomFarm]

Hi all! I have a flock of khaki campbell ducks that are housed overnight and free range on our 13 acres during the day. About a month ago, I began to notice one or two of the girls would disappear for a couple hours each day. I searched high and low, but have never found a nest of eggs anywhere, but do know at least one was laying in our horse's hay feeding area (which I discovered by watching a raven steal an egg and fly off with it). Since then, I extended their time in their coop in the mornings, and most of them have returned to laying their eggs in there... Except for one hen who consistently would disappear as soon as she was outside!

Anyway, five days ago, a hen disappeared in the morning, but then hasn't returned since. Twice now I have spotted a drake in an unusual location, standing on a steep bank behind our house, that does have several briar bushes and dead tree tops. I have searched all over in that area, though, and still not found any sign of a duck or a nest. The rest of the flock seems undisturbed. I have found no feathers or tracks to indicate a predator grabbed her, but of course, they don't always leave a trace. No other ducks or chickens have come up missing, either. I can't really tell most of the hens apart, so I don't know if it's one of the same ones who had been laying elsewhere or not, as we don't always get an egg from every duck each day. The remaining hens, however, have not been disappearing for a period of time that I can tell.

I suppose what I'm asking is what is the likelihood that she is still around somewhere, just sitting on a hidden nest? It's been 5 days, wouldn't she have had to come out for water or food by now? If I'm prodding around in the briar patch where I saw the drake standing, would she make a sound or show herself in some way, or do they just hide that well? Everything I read says khaki campbells aren't likely mothers, so I guess I'm just really not sure what could have happened to her. Might she just show up with ducklings one day, or should I expect that she's more likely gone forever? Thanks so much for any help!

 

[Everose]

Sorry to hear about your duck. Unfortunately I haven't had a duck disappear or go broody so I wouldn't have any advice there. Have you considered leg bands for identification? They even make them with charms, you could tell them apart from a small distance. It may help you to know who's who next time.

I know a lady who owns muscovy, her hens fly away and come back a little while later with about twenty ducklings every time. There is a chance that your khaki wanted to be a mom, though it's not as common as with other breeds.

 

[nchls school]

I can tell you a brooding duck is hard to find. Last fall my call duck started to lay. Like yours, the drake stood guard so I knew the general area, but had no luck finding her. Later, when the duck had returned, I walked the area again and found the nest in a short time. The eggs were easy to see where the duck wasn't. The nest was under a very low hanging bush-no more than ten inches tall. The next day, when the duck was on the nest, I could not find it for quite a while. The duck was perfectly camoflauged and did not move at all even with me just inches away. Good luck.

 

[SolarDuck]

Sorry you can't find your duck, really the best thing you can do is just keep an eye out for her and see if she eventually will come back for some food.