Mallard nesting habbits

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

My newly acquired (purchased) Mallard has begun laying all over the yard. Is this normal behavior? Should i collect the eggs and put them in one spot?

 

[chickens really]

No, that won't work. Do they have a house and secure run?
I keep my Hens locked in till they lay their eggs each morning. Then I let them out.

 

[Table4Six]

I do the same as @chickens really. And yes that is normal mallard behavior. My crested grey mallard hen and my two snowy mallard hens would lay eggs all over my yard, but I don't want to go egg hunting everyday or attract extra predators, so I landscaped their large run with thick vegetation and grass where they could lay their eggs in the morning and free range later in the day. Mallards, domestic or wild, just have that instinct to lay their eggs in what they feel is a secret or protected spot.

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

What about their broody tendencies? She hatched a clutch 2 weeks ago and now is laying again. If I put the eggs in one spot is she likely to go broody again?

 

[chickens really]

What about their broody tendencies? She hatched a clutch 2 weeks ago and now is laying again. If I put the eggs in one spot is she likely to go broody again?

Possibly she will but you can't encourage her too. If she wants to set she will build a nest and then deposit them there.

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

Possibly she will but you can't encourage her too. If she wants to set she will build a nest and then deposit them there.

By "deposit" you mean lay them there or move them after they where laid all over the place?

 

[chickens really]

By "deposit" you mean lay them there or move them after they where laid all over the place?

I mean pick a nesting site and lay eggs in the nest..If not Broody or setting she will just lay an egg anywhere the need strikes her..