The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[121zues]

I think it's normal behavior for ducks. They have their social order thing. If she's removed herself off to a corner to be broody, then the remainder of the flock is going to adjust and that social order will resort without her. Therefore when the drake sees her after some time has gone by without him seeing her, he views her as an outsider and tries to chase and or mate or attack. It's just what they do. This might help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/897940/drake-isolating-female#post_13666012

The duck needs you to protect her.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all as this is my first time raising ducks and maybe I misspoke but they are not isolated she is still in the house with everybody else and when she comes out he jumps on her gets a little bit and they all run off and forage together and swim and eat and he doesn't bother her anymore

 

[121zues]

Oh my he is a randy bugger then!
My lad had to make do with trying to hump a white Campbell that he can barely get on top of.
He's a little bibbed call!
My other call has only just warmed enough to him to allow him access so to speak.
So all the while his favourite girl sat on his offspring he was getting next to nothing without complaint.
He's a little trooper lol

he is very randy I have a jumbo pekin myself and I'm just waiting for him to try to get on her she's just over 13 weeks old now he was raised with 3 other ducks and they just lay there for him lol the rest run from him I think he likes the chase

 

[smonkeySK]

Your lad doesn't sound too bad to be fair. Over time I imagine things will settle down and he'll have to chase less and less - whether he likes it or not!

 

[Indyrun]

Hi,
Do ducks go off the lay when it's cold?
My girl is 5 months old and hasn't laid a single egg!
I've seen the drake mount her numerous times. I check her bed daily... Nothing. I check around the garden... Nothing. I even filled a box with straw and placed it in a sheltered spot... Nothing!
Should I be concerned that there is no egg or broody action?

 

[smonkeySK]

She may not even be ready to lay - it should start around that age but it's only a guide and cold wet weather can put them off lay or slow their laying.

 

[holm25]

She may not even be ready to lay - it should start around that age but it's only a guide and cold wet weather can put them off lay or slow their laying.

X2

 

[Indyrun]

Thanks.
A women at the pet shop freaked me out. She said if she doesn't lay, she could be egg bound and die!
My girl seems happy, healthy and fine.

 

[kountryboy4life]

Well, mama number two hatched out 5 of her seven eggs. One died shortly after hatching (took it over two days to hatch) so i think there was something wrong with it. So we have four more little fluff balls.. Three black and white and a lavender. Mama number 3 should hatch out hers late this week.

 

[MarysAviaryHeartAndZoo]

My little girl is finally Broody!! She is almost a year old. It's great to watch her being so concerned for all 10 of her eggs. Just moved her into the duck house. I hope all goes well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, mama number two hatched out 5 of her seven eggs. One died shortly after hatching (took it over two days to hatch) so i think there was something wrong with it. So we have four more little fluff balls.. Three black and white and a lavender. Mama number 3 should hatch out hers late this week.

Congrats!!!