Too early to start nesting????

[Sue S]

Hi everybody, I need some advice on my female mallard nesting. I have 3 females & 1 male, 1 of my females starting laying eggs again this week she has laid 3 eggs so far, I took 2 & found that she laid her 3rd egg this morning, I didn't take it, I want babies!!!! My question is, Is it too early in the year for her to start nesting???

 

[MillersFarm]

Do you have pictures of your "Mallards" ? I see a pair of rouens in your avvy.. Not sure if those are the same birds you're talking about or not.. Just because your ducks are laying doesn't mean that they'll go broody just by leaving eggs in their nest.

 

[Sue S]

 

[Sue S]

Okay, so how do I know if she's broody????

 

[MillersFarm]

Yep, those are rouens, not mallards.. I've never had one of my rouens go broody before but it isn't impossible. A broody duck will spend all it's time on a nest she's built. If you go near her while she's sitting she'll most likely hiss and puff up at you. they'll also pluck feathers from off their chest and line it in the nest.. And when she's off he nest she'll sort of stay away from everyone else, fluffed out a bit to make herself look bigger.
I haven't dealt with many broody ducks in the past before but @chickens really has, She most likely knows what to look for in a broody duck than me

 

[Sue S]

Thanks. I thought they were mallards. Rouens & Mallards look very similar

 

[Sue S]

Since I want ducklings, should I wait til she lays more eggs them put them in an incubator or wait to see if she hatches them????

 

[MillersFarm]

You best bet is to start collecting eggs and hatch them yourself

 

[Sue S]

I'm new to this so i'm going to ask why????? Will she not hatch them????

 

[DuckyDonna]

You best bet is to start collecting eggs and hatch them yourself

Yes, but she lives in PA wouldn't it be better to wait a bit when it won't be so cold? Just sayin' I'm in Georgia and I wouldn't do it now. You'd have too long to worry with keeping them warm and all.