Mallard Eggs and Babies

[chadjohnson]

OK Bird People, I have a female mallard laying eggs. She found a spot and has had around 12 eggs in her nest, she goes there daily. I just found this eve her spot. Now on the flip side. I removed all the eggs and I have several chicks (Mallard type). I came in and told my wife I found the nest, she was like ohhhh she didnt know they would not hatch. I then thought what if I took 4 chicks and put in her nest so that when she returned boom she had babies. I really would like to know if this would work? Any words of wisdom?

 

[swampfox440]

It's to bad you moved the eggs . Were they not fertile ? I don't understand Was she sitting on the eggs ? The way to tell when she is going to begin setting is ,she will pull down from her belly and place it in the nest when she is ready to set on the eggs . If she is not broody most likely she will not except the new ducklings . When she is broody you will know by the constant Quacking they do .