Leaving the Nest

[ilovemeducks]

I have a young Muscovy female (under a year old). About two weeks ago she became broody and laid two eggs and sat on them. She only came off to eat, drink or have a bath. I put some food and water in with her just in case she didn't want to come out. In the past few days she is spending the whole day off the nest. She is foraging around with the other ducks and doesn't return to the nest until dusk. In fact, last night, I found another female duck sitting on the nest for her as dusk fell while she was up on a perch with the drake. Should I take the eggs away from her? Will that upset her? I am sure they won't hatch now but I'm pretty new to duck keeping and this is the first time I have had a female go broody. Thanks for your help.

 

[Welshies]

She is no longer broody. This is common in youngee broodies- they'll start incubating, only to get off halfway though the incubation period.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They start a clutch then continue to lay until they are happy with the amount of eggs.

Sounds like she was just doing a practice run. Unless she is still laying an egg a day in the nest? if she is once she has her quota so to speak then she begin pulling feathers out and building up her nest then settle down to brood.

 

[ilovemeducks]

She is no longer broody. This is common in youngee broodies- they'll start incubating, only to get off halfway though the incubation period.

Thank you. I think you are right - that she is no longer broody. She only laid three eggs altogether - i removed the third one. I have removed the eggs today as she is walking about normally i.e. not all fluffed up and peeping and everything. I thought she was quite young.

 

[ilovemeducks]

They start a clutch then continue to lay until they are happy with the amount of eggs.

Sounds like she was just doing a practice run. Unless she is still laying an egg a day in the nest? if she is once she has her quota so to speak then she begin pulling feathers out and building up her nest then settle down to brood.

Thank you. I agree that it was probably a practice run. She did pull feathers out a while back now but seems to have got fed up with the whole idea and would prefer to 'play', haha. I think she is a bit young.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Could be. Could any of the other females be keeping her out of the nest? Sometimes older mature females will bully the younger ones.

What ever her reason for getting up believe me she'll soon try again and most likely succeed those Muscovy females are dedicated. lol

 

[ilovemeducks]

Could be. Could any of the other females be keeping her out of the nest? Sometimes older mature females will bully the younger ones.

What ever her reason for getting up believe me she'll soon try again and most likely succeed those Muscovy females are dedicated. lol

No, we have a younger female who was actually sharing the sitting on the nest i.e. sitting on it together. Our only other female has a deformed leg and tends not to go into the duck house very often. She is very timid and would not bully Aggie (the egg layer). I just think that the time wasn't right for her. Thank you for your help. Like I said, we are pretty new to ducks. We have travelled a steep learning curve..... and continue to do so, haha. They are just the most incredible pets though. I didn't realise how different each of them are.