Saving a broody duck

[JoyAnna]

Pebbles, now in her third year, has gone broody but way back under a huge pile of dead tree branches where I cannot get to her. I have not put feed or water out there because I feared it would attract preditors. We have racoons, possms, skunks, etc. I haven't even seen her for several days and feared something had already gotten her. This morning she came out and headed for the pool for water and after a good bath, went into the pen for food and more water followed by Benedict the drake. I closed them in. I have contracted to have that brush pile removed and the guy said he would be here either today or tomorrow, so I knew her nest would be uncovered and maybe destroyed soon. Her sister, Beatrice, has also gone broody but at least has built her nest behind a straw bale INSIDE the duck house. Beatrice is sitting on 10 eggs as of last evening and has been coming out late every afternoon. My question: Am I doing the right thing to pen Pebbles away from her nest now that I have the opportunity?

 

[Amiga]

Yes, I feel you are, because Pebbles is at high risk from predators on that nest.

I hope that somehow you will be able to retrieve the eggs. But I feel that the ducks need to be protected.

 

[JoyAnna]

Thanks, Amiga. I agree about keeping Pebbles safe, so had decided to keep her penned up. The fellow with the tractor called and will be here tomorrow morning. I hope we can recover her eggs, and I hope she will accept them back in a nest in the duck house. I can put up a temporary fence inside the duck house for both the girls and also fence off part of the run for them and their littles if and when. Poor Pebbles tried several times last year and I broke it up. She is not a good example of the Ancona breed, so I really did not want to hatch her eggs, but she is a character and has wormed her way into my heart.These two ducks came out of a terrible situation, so I will let them do their thing this year and just find homes for the littles as pets.

 

[Amiga]

I pray all goes well.