mallard eggs-should I let a chicken hatch them?

[claraserena]

We are in the country, have a mixed, free-range flock--full size and bantam chickens and ducks. A friend n town has a nesting mallard in her yard and the mother seems to have left with two hatched ducklings. If she has left, I would like to candle the remaining eggs and put those that are viable under a broody hen. I have had hens hatch out duck eggs and several years ago we raised a day old orphaned wood duck with Buff Orpington chicks and all went well. If anyone has any experience or advice I'd appreciate it. I have to decide about going in to get the eggs pretty soon. thank you!

 

[PirateGirl]

If they are from a wild mallard I would let nature take its course. Even if they don't hatch, they are an integral part of the food chain for other wild animals. Additionally in many places disrupting the nest of a wild bird and/or taking eggs is illegal.

 

[casportpony]

We are in the country, have a mixed, free-range flock--full size and bantam chickens and ducks. A friend n town has a nesting mallard in her yard and the mother seems to have left with two hatched ducklings. If she has left, I would like to candle the remaining eggs and put those that are viable under a broody hen. I have had hens hatch out duck eggs and several years ago we raised a day old orphaned wood duck with Buff Orpington chicks and all went well. If anyone has any experience or advice I'd appreciate it. I have to decide about going in to get the eggs pretty soon. thank you!

It's illegal, but if you don't care about such things, go for it.