moving nests

[Willeboer]

I have a strange question - I think.
I have a muscovy with a problematic eye that I have been washing with saline. I had missed the problem but realised why today.
I got eyedrops from a vet to adminster between 3 and 6 times a day and couldn't find her when I got back.
Built a quarantine cage and she didn't make an appearance all afternoon. So I went looking...
She's on a nest - inaccessible under pallets. So I would only have a chance to administer the eyedrops when she feeds in the morning.
So the question is do I take the nest apart and put her and the eggs in my 'hospital' cage indoors (and do the multiple daily medications and hope she sits) or leave her and administer once daily?
(It's summer here)
Photo shows problem eye

 

[Debbie292d]

For the health of the momma duck, I would surely move it and hope she'll accept it. Her eye isn't going to heal if you can't treat it per the vet's instructions.

We've moved duck nests in the past and they just took to the new nest fine, but they weren't sitting on eggs either. I know this could be quite different, but I'd give it a try.

I hope it works and wish you the best!

 

[Debbie292d]

If you move it and she goes back to sit under the pallets, can you remove the pallets?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Take care of Mom . She can make a new nest another day.

 

[Jenbirdee]

If you have an incubator you could move the eggs into it

 

[Willeboer]

Thank you for the advice. I have moved her and the eggs to the small indoor hospital cage (parrot cage) which is covered to keep her calm. She's had meds twice this morning.
She stood over the plastic tray that the eggs are in (along with the feathers from the nest) but wouldn't sit for 3 hours, so not sure how many eggs will survive. She is sitting at last though. I will check on her and the eggs in about an hour.
Next problem will be how to do the daily cage clean without disturbing her unnecessarily as muscovys are particularly messy.
I was about to remove the eggs to the incubator, but have only ever had 2 muscovy hatchings and one died on day 2; the second was adopted by a new mum with 6 ducklings a week younger than it - so better if she takes care of the incubation.
At least she's where I can medicate her.