Nesting duck, timing on eggs help

[allergymama]

We have a duck who decided that she was going to nest (ok, really all of them are trying to hide eggs on us, but only one is completely serious!). We let her and have her all fenced in. She is in a larger yard that everyone has access to during the day. Her girlfriends sit with her for part of every day. We want to fence her off completely once she gets close so the drakes don't get the ducklings when (optimism!) they hatch. I have the day she started sitting in earnest (her first time she sat overnight). I know they take 28 days. We are going to be gone for days 25 & 26. Having someone come in to take care of everyone. Should we fence her off before we leave? Or can we do it closer to day 28? I think her friends sitting with her is probably helpful, but don't want to risk any babies. TIA.

 

[Keah]

Hi,

I too have a mummy duck sitting on some eggs with other ducks around her. She has been sitting now for 10 days and is already fenced off from the others. She has food, water and her friends sit beside the fence even though she is in a nesting box

So yes I recommend you fence her off before you leave, it would save you doing it when you get back and saves the mumma duck being stressed with so much going on around her when she is about to have babies! all in all its up to you to decide what you believe is best for you duck

Hope I've helped and good luck!

 

[Orca5094]

I would fence her off before you leave as well, just in case any of them come a little earlier than expected. It happens! And like Keah said, her friends can still sit next to her on the other side of the fence.

 

[allergymama]

Thank you. I appreciate the input! I will fence her off before we leave. The booger is nesting under the pine tree amid the stinging nettles. Very protected...& hard to check on her. Lol