Test for Broodiness(is that a word?)

[slink1211]

I have a female Pekin, a female Buff and a male Pekin. Both of my ladies have been laying for about a month. Both lay daily. Someone has built a beautiful nest just inside their house and both ducks have been laying the eggs in it. I am thinking about leaving the eggs and seeing what happens. Any advice? Also, probably dumb question, will my Pekin hatch Buff eggs or will my Buff hatch Pekin eggs? Do they care? I can tell them apart, most of the time. So I could remove them. If I had any idea who built the nest. We started today with two beautiful eggs in the nest. Anyone ever had any luck with a Pekin or Buff going broody? Thanks alot! My ducks are less than a year old.

 

[DB_Tex]

Buffs are supposed to be pretty good broodies. Dunno about pekins though.

 

[dumb_cluck]

If and when they go broody, you WILL know. They are real upset most of the time and a real cramp. They refuse to get off the nest and very protective.

If they don't go broody (not setting on the nest for long periods of time and show the above traits), you may want to start collecting the "new" eggs and using them for baking or selling, etc.

Eventually, even if they are broody, they may start to discard the eggs one at a time. This means their "broodyness" is about done.

 

[slink1211]

Today when I went out, our Buff was slow to come out of the house. I noticed the nest was coverd with her feathers and a little bit of the hay. There are now 4 eggs in there. I would love to have more of these sweeties, they are such great ducks!

 

[stonykill]

good luck! A friend of mine had a duck go broody last year. I'm hoping one of my 4 Pekins go broody. Chances aren't the greatest, but it can happen