My silly duck

[Kayuduck]

Hello,
I have a runner duck, not sure if he's mixed but looks mostly like a runner. He will be 10 years old in June. He's by himself now and I won't have anymore ducks until he passes.
A few days ago, as I normally do check on him, water and feed him early in the morning. I do in late afternoon also.
Well, to my surprise he had built a nest overnight. He placed his favorite rubber duck inside nest. He has 3 of those fake ducks hunters use. He protects them I placed a marble egg near the nest a couple days ago, and sure enough he put it inside the nest.
Has any of you seen or heard anything like this?

 

[GoosesGeeses]

I have heard of male ducks sitting on nests before, but never had it happen with my ducks

 

[Goosebaby]

Hello,
I have a runner duck, not sure if he's mixed but looks mostly like a runner. He will be 10 years old in June. He's by himself now and I won't have anymore ducks until he passes.
A few days ago, as I normally do check on him, water and feed him early in the morning. I do in late afternoon also.
Well, to my surprise he had built a nest overnight. He placed his favorite rubber duck inside nest. He has 3 of those fake ducks hunters use. He protects them I placed a marble egg near the nest a couple days ago, and sure enough he put it inside the nest.
Has any of you seen or heard anything like this?

What a precious boy! He want babies

My drake Bramble was extremly maternal and would brood his mom’s eggs when he was a duckling and all the way up until he grew his nuptial feathers.

You never know what’s going to happen with ducks, and drakes aren’t always friendly with ducklings, but you could always introduce him to some ducklings before he passes and see if he wants to adopt them.

 

[ruthhope]

Oh poor boy. He wants ducky company

Where are you based? I'm wondering if you might adopt a rescued drake to keep him company. I have two pekin drakes -- one is a 2025 boy but the other is a 2022 boy. An older drake might work out well for them both

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Has any of you seen or heard anything like this?

Yes, but never like that...

I would be tempted to ask if you are sure he is really a boy, but... given he is 10-years-old, you would know if it was not the case, right?

In my opinion, you should give him company.
And by that, I mean : "duck friends that are descended from the wild Mallard"...!
(NOT Muscovy ducks, since they don't speak the same language!)

...In any case, 10 years of life... it is amazing for a duck!
Congratulations for keeping him (alive) for so long!

(I have to say : your drake looks beautiful.
Splash is a really pretty colour on ducks...!!)