Mallard babies x23??!?!

[Nomibear]

Hi all, we have 7 Mallards. 4 drakes, and 3 girls. They are 5 1/2 months old now. For the last couple of weeks, I have been finding their eggs. The first 6 I found all together in a tangle of high grass, and branches I was removing. I took those away, and eventually opened them. They were fertile.
I found their 2nd nest in more tall grass. Tuesday I realized she had been on it all day. This morning when I fed them she was off the nest, and I counted "at least" 23 eggs!! Is it possible for her to hatch this many?! Do mallards often nest in the fall? Is there anything else I should know?
Thanks ~N

 

[fowl farm]

I have a Mallard hen that went broody 5 days ago and I was told that, yes, they can hatch a clutch this late in the year. As for how many she can hatch, I've no idea

 

[Nomibear]

Thanks for the reply fowl farm. I'm glad she's not just crazy

 

[blondiebee181]

Hi all, we have 7 Mallards. 4 drakes, and 3 girls. They are 5 1/2 months old now. For the last couple of weeks, I have been finding their eggs. The first 6 I found all together in a tangle of high grass, and branches I was removing. I took those away, and eventually opened them. They were fertile.
I found their 2nd nest in more tall grass. Tuesday I realized she had been on it all day. This morning when I fed them she was off the nest, and I counted "at least" 23 eggs!! Is it possible for her to hatch this many?! Do mallards often nest in the fall? Is there anything else I should know?
Thanks ~N

Congrats! Yeah, hatching should be okay, especially since you live in a warmer area...23 to me sounds like a lot....have you seen her sitting on the nest? Can se cover all of them? IDK I'm no expert, good luck with the little ones!

 

[Nomibear]

Yes, it's good and hot here today. She seems to be on the nest every day. She is usually only off when I feed them early in the morning. She does seem to be covering them all. They are maybe 14-16 on top, and some in a layer below...