Single Duckling and Mingling Question

[DuckTapePalace]

Our ducks thought it was spring so we started collecting eggs for our incubator since we need to even out our ratio. Sadly, it appears that only 1 egg is growing a bird and we are 15 days til lockdown. There is a chance our feed store will have birds next week but it’s a gamble right now and I don’t think any we order will arrive in time.

While we can guess who the layers are (3 out of 4 birds and 2 are laying dark/blackish eggs) we don't know who built the nest/is broody.

If we end up with 1 lonely duckling, can we imprint it on any of these girls or no? I’ve looked at a few threads but am not sure.

 

[Jenbirdee]

If a duck had not been sitting on a nest for a couple weeks she will most likely reject a duckling

 

[DuckTapePalace]

If a duck had not been sitting on a nest for a couple weeks she will most likely reject a duckling

That’s what i was afraid of. We collected the eggs so they haven’t built another nest and are laying in odd places now. I’m tempted to let them try but we separated our drakes and i know the eggs won’t be viable. Duck eggs have a decent shelf life so i guess we could let them just sit until this one hatches but I don’t know. Just a random idea.