I’ve had them abandon nests too, actually hatched 2 myself this weekend that were abandoned. Now I need to toss the rest out of the nest, but was hoping if I ever see her near the nest, I might try to show her the ducklings.
If she goes back to them overnight, they could survive, but if she doesn’t sleep on them at night, I’d remove them and incubate them myself. They have a sense of how long they can leave them, but they always cover them overnight, no matter what. Even if they aren’t sitting tight on them, they will be next to them. At least that’s how I gage mine.
Also, did she cover them up with feathers, bedding, etc? Or did she leave them uncovered? Mine usually cover them up when they are coming back to them.
If she goes back to them overnight, they could survive, but if she doesn’t sleep on them at night, I’d remove them and incubate them myself. They have a sense of how long they can leave them, but they always cover them overnight, no matter what. Even if they aren’t sitting tight on them, they will be next to them. At least that’s how I gage mine.
Also, did she cover them up with feathers, bedding, etc? Or did she leave them uncovered? Mine usually cover them up when they are coming back to them.
