Some questions, my first time with a broody duck!

[CorralitosSunflower]

So my one of my Welsh Harlequins has finally gone broody. She started to show some inclination to set so I stopped collecting her eggs and she has finally commited. I am concerned though because it took her a while to finally do so. For several days she would get to tempted when I opened the gate to let them freerange and would leave her nest in a heartbeat. I am concerned this dashed her eggs chances to go from warm to cold to warm again. I want to candle them but am worried if I desturb her nest she will stop setting all together. What have other co-mamas done with their broody ducks? Do you think she will stay with the nest even if I disturb it?
I am also wondering, will she continue to lay everyday like she did (keep in mind she is a welsh harlequin, she has been laying a phenominal number of eggs) now that she is on a nest? I am worried about it getting over-crowded and some viable eggs getting pushed out from under her. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[ducklover700]

How old is your duck? When the ducks are young, they tend to be hot and cold when deciding whether they want to go broody or not. The first time, or the first couple times depending on the duck, she may not stick with her eggs long enough, or often enough for them to develop. If you want to candle her eggs you could go in and check while she's outside foraging, it shouldn't cause her to stop.

as for the number of eggs she's laying, she'll lay several before she's happy with her clutch but if she's really gone broody she'll stop after a certain number and just set on them. If you're worried, you could always take the duds or extras out so there's a good number.