Missing Duck...Nesting somewhere?

[Miss Lydia]

Sad.

she has abandoned the nest. We kept her with it for two days but she hasn't sat on it. What are the chances that she will do this again?

Good chance, so make the place as inviting as you can. and go egg hunting every day and place the eggs where you want her to sit, hopefully she'll finally take the hint. I'm sorry it didn't work out this time it's always a gamble with every duck being different every time you find where she has laid outside destroy the nest and make it as uninhabitable as possible.

 

[allergymama]

So, we moved the nest and did everything we could...she abandoned it. But everyone started laying where we put the nest so we thought "hey, we finally don't have to have an egg hunt every day!" And left a few in the nest to encourage that behavior. Well, now we seem to have another girl go broody. First day, she didn't leave the nest (left her there u disturbed). In the afternoon, I noticed she was off and with the others. Stayed off the rest of the day. Same thing happened the next two days. We have left all the eggs u disturbed but she only sits part of the day.

Is this normal behavior? She is not quite a year old. (Birthday is next week though!) do they have to kind of learn how to sit a nest?

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, we moved the nest and did everything we could...she abandoned it. But everyone started laying where we put the nest so we thought "hey, we finally don't have to have an egg hunt every day!" And left a few in the nest to encourage that behavior. Well, now we seem to have another girl go broody. First day, she didn't leave the nest (left her there u disturbed). In the afternoon, I noticed she was off and with the others. Stayed off the rest of the day. Same thing happened the next two days. We have left all the eggs u disturbed but she only sits part of the day.

Is this normal behavior? She is not quite a year old. (Birthday is next week though!) do they have to kind of learn how to sit a nest?

What breed are we talking about? so many have had the broodiness bred out of them, then again she may be gearing up too. Mine will begin by sitting a few hours at first then they comitt so only thing you can do is watch and wait mark all eggs so when someone does start you can take out the oldest if there are alot in the nest. Oldest and dirtiest you can get rid of if there are too many.

 

[Amiga]

Some of my Runners never go broody, some are semi broody, some sit the whole month. One Buff goes broody but sometimes she gives up after a couple of weeks.

 

[allergymama]

The one sitting now is a welsh harlequin. I have been leaving the eggs with her (everyone is laying in one nest and then all the girls stand guard over her...its kind of cute. They won't let the boys or me near her.)

I did go and mark the ones that are in there now with a sharpie

 

[Weehopper]

Coons and coyotes, and the like, will be able to smell her. They don't need to see her. The wire idea is not a bad idea, but keep in mind it will be needing a roof that varments can't get through. She is lucky she has lasted this long. This time of year everyone is feeding babies, so they are hunting every night. If it were me, I'd go out tonight, after dark, collect the hen and the eggs (have my hubby help. One carry the mother, and one carries eggs), and bring them to a nest I have made inside a pen. Put the eggs in the nest, and put mom in there on the eggs. No lights once I set her on the nest. Then back out of there quick, as quietly as possible, and hope for the best. Even if she quits the nest, at least she will be alive to raise another brood. Keep in mind that this is only what I would do. I have chickens, and no experience with ducks. I do know that when we have allowed hen's to go ahead and sit on nests in the brush or woods, they (though not all) have ended up as some coon or coyote's dinner. Good luck.

 

[allergymama]

They are at it again! Two of them this time. A welsh harlequin and a Rouen. We found the WH, still looking for the Rouen. (WH are SO much easier to find!!) we have her all fenced in now since moving the nest last time didn't work. My question is whether the drakes are going to be a problem when (

) they hatch. Are they territorial/aggressive to babies that may not be theirs like other animals (we had 3 drakes until 2 days ago when we rehomed one of them...horny little booger!)? Will they go after the young or will mama protect them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are at it again! Two of them this time. A welsh harlequin and a Rouen. We found the WH, still looking for the Rouen. (WH are SO much easier to find!!) we have her all fenced in now since moving the nest last time didn't work. My question is whether the drakes are going to be a problem when (

) they hatch. Are they territorial/aggressive to babies that may not be theirs like other animals (we had 3 drakes until 2 days ago when we rehomed one of them...horny little booger!)? Will they go after the young or will mama protect them?

I don't take chances with mine since some drakes will kill ducklings I keep mamas and ducklings in separate fencing till they are at least 3 weeks old. Where everyone can see each other and mama and babies have their own sleeping quarters

 

[GarnerZoo]

I agree with miss Lydia on the drake killing ducklings and keeping them separate. My WH drake was super protective when my WH hen was laying on the eggs but when they hatched and she brought them out he picked one up and shook it by the neck. If I wasn't there they'd all be dead. Even now, at three weeks old he tries too. Just be careful the drakes can be misleading.

 

[allergymama]

Thank you! We will plan accordingly!

BTW: Rouen is still missing and it is about 15 minutes to dark.