Muscovy hen broody,but won't stay on nest

[AhBee01]

I was excited that my new hen went broody, for 10 days she set, would hiss if anyone went near her, then she got off the nest she would stand by it and guard it but not set, then she started to lay again, she still guards the eggs.
I couldn't tell which eggs are new and which are older. The other new hen built 2 nests and lays in both, so i took all the eggs tonight.
60 eggs. 40 were in the the first hens nest, at least 15 had signs of ducklings started.

What is going on with her? My 2 older hens went broody their first spring and hatched out 7 ducklings each. They are the best, this is their third year! They always seemed to know what to do!
I hated to waste the eggs that didn't have signs of life in them, but I'm hoping they will start new clutches and start to set! I'm so bummed! I could have sold them eggs!
I try to mark the eggs when they finally set, but I can't even get near this hen or she attacks! LOL! I guess I'll have to no matter what next time!
Has anyone gone through this?
Thanks,
Brenda

 

[Trenary Duck Farm]

I would still try to hatch the eggs using an incubator, so all is not lost.

 

[ChickenToes]

How long has she been off the eggs? I have two broodies right now that are sitting on the same nest and sometimes they'll stay off the nest for at least a half hour or more.

If in doubt, incubate the eggs yourself.

 

[AhBee01]

She was off for hours, setting just inside the box, but not on the nest, I left the eggs there for 2 more weeks. I kept hoping she knew best! But the eggs were always cold!
I do not have a bator! That's why we got the muscovys cuz they set so well!
Maybe she is just to young!
I will see if she lays again, I just might have to get one of my hens to hatch them out!

 

[Trenary Duck Farm]

The young ones can be fickle. We had three laying in one nest, and the youngest hen decided to take responsibility. She brooded for all of about ten hours and decided that it was more fun to be with her new playmate, a recently purchased muscovy hen. Needless to say, the nest of 17 eggs was abandoned.