Surprise nest

[RosemaryDuck]

So, just gonna complain/ramble a bit here. I recently went on vacation and had someone caring for my animals. I left detailed instructions and specifically mentioned to collect all the eggs while I was gone.

Upon arrival home, I saw that not a single egg had been collected, and Hershey (Muscovy) had started a very large nest in the main coop and was broody.

Shes been sitting for some time (assuming from the state of the nest), so I don't want to take the eggs away. But now it looks like I'll be selling mule ducklings in the near future. I can't say I'm upset about that, since I love ducklings, but I'm pretty frustrated with the person who was watching them since I had no plans to set any eggs or have more ducks.

Anyway, rant over! Hopefully I can guess the due date accurately.

 

[Sara S]

So, just gonna complain/ramble a bit here. I recently went on vacation and had someone caring for my animals. I left detailed instructions and specifically mentioned to collect all the eggs while I was gone.

Upon arrival home, I saw that not a single egg had been collected, and Hershey (Muscovy) had started a very large nest in the main coop and was broody.

Shes been sitting for some time (assuming from the state of the nest), so I don't want to take the eggs away. But now it looks like I'll be selling mule ducklings in the near future. I can't say I'm upset about that, since I love ducklings, but I'm pretty frustrated with the person who was watching them since I had no plans to set any eggs or have more ducks.

Anyway, rant over! Hopefully I can guess the due date accurately.

That’s irresponsible of them. But yes, ducklings are so teeny and cute! How many eggs are there?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

That’s irresponsible of them. But yes, ducklings are so teeny and cute! How many eggs are there?

She was rolling the eggs while I was trying to count, but I think about 7-8 .

 

[Sara S]

She was rolling the eggs while I was trying to count, but I think about 7-8 .

I guess it’s better than 25, but just put them up on Craigslist or Put an ad on Facebook/ instagram if you don’t want to keep them. Theylll be snatched up since Easter is around the corner!

 

[addctd2plnts]

There's been a number of horror stories about people hired to do the simple job of letting ducks/chickens outside the coop and giving food and water. Why is it that dog sitters and farm sitters have such bad work ethic? I pay REALLY WELL! The last time we had a dog sitter, the house was spotless when we left. She obviously left the dogs outside all day in the muddy backyard because we got home and there was mud EVERYWHERE! My white kitchen cabinets were full of mud where they shook off. I had another sitter that stayed at my house and still let the dogs poop all over my WHITE bedroom carpet! She was sleeping in my bed! How could she let the dogs pee and poop all over that white carpet??!! These were not little dogs that were pooping inside to begin with. These were large dogs that have cast iron bladders and will hold it for 12 hours if they have to! We tried to clean the carpet and all it did was spread the stench. I ended up having to rip it all out and put down wood floors!

I worked for veterinarians at 15.5 years old. They left the meds on the charts that I had to give meds with instructions. I cleaned all he kennels, fed and watered. Ran the dogs. Cleaned the entire veterinary office and buffed the floors. I ran all the fecal tests, so they could read them when they came in, and they never had to tell me to be on time, or correct me for failing to give a medication. It's just SAD that people are so lazy. And they think you are being a jerk when you say they shouldn't raise the minimum wage.

 

[Isadora]

So, just gonna complain/ramble a bit here. I recently went on vacation and had someone caring for my animals. I left detailed instructions and specifically mentioned to collect all the eggs while I was gone.

Upon arrival home, I saw that not a single egg had been collected, and Hershey (Muscovy) had started a very large nest in the main coop and was broody.

Shes been sitting for some time (assuming from the state of the nest), so I don't want to take the eggs away. But now it looks like I'll be selling mule ducklings in the near future. I can't say I'm upset about that, since I love ducklings, but I'm pretty frustrated with the person who was watching them since I had no plans to set any eggs or have more ducks.

Anyway, rant over! Hopefully I can guess the due date accurately.

Man, that's frustrating.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Managed to snap a pic while she was up getting some water/food. Looks to be 7! She also made a beautiful nest (at the cost of many soft feathers ).

 

[addctd2plnts]

Beautiful nest! Looks like she is taking the job seriously! LOL

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I had a sitter who was afraid of the hens. One went broody and I guess pecked/bit the sitter so my poor girl sat on unfertilized eggs, until we got home.
Maybe the duck bit her and she was afraid to get near it after that.
I am very sorry this happened to you.

 

[Weeg]

I have the same issue with my sitter. She wont collect a single egg! I've never had a hen go broody, but is is a bother to come home and have to pick a bunch of dirty eggs out of a nesting box. Especially if they got broken...
Either way, good luck with the hatch! I'll be following along. I'm sorry that this happened, at least thats the only mistake she made. At least the outcome means more ducks, not less ducks.