Two Ducks Sitting on One Nest?

[LivinOnLove]

One of our ducks went broody around the end of April, and I stopped gathering the eggs in her nest. Within a couple days, MANY other of our ducks were laying in that nest too. In 6-7 days she was sitting 22 eggs!!! I read around and learned to number the eggs and take the newest ones out. So I did that for a week. Then a second duck started sitting the nest with her!? The second on is doing a great job, and the first one is learning from her. We did have a couple days that a third duck was sitting the nest! Now the last few days there has not been any new eggs, and it's just back to the two (now watch tomorrow I'll go out and it's be three again or something ) I guess I'm asking, what do we do? Are they going to fight over ducklings when they start hatching? I know they are turning the eggs in the nest, and I know the eggs are alive and growing inside. One duck baths and eats well, they other doesnt' so much, and I've read about the eggs needing humidity. We plan to keep them separate from the rest the week before they should be hatching (last week of May?) and then keep them separate for 2-3 weeks afterwards. There is no way I can keep them totally in, but I'm hoping mom/s can call a stray duckling back inside the fence if they wander out (the other typically spend the day in the woods/swamp away from the pen). And then at night we plan to lock them in the house while the others are in the yard. So is this a good plan, and what do I do about 2 ducks sitting one nest? Thanks!!

 

[Amiga]

Each duck is different. Some are good sitters, lousy mothers. I would try to be ready for whatever they decide to do, including lining up an incubator in case they bail out just before hatching.

 

[nayeli]

I have no idea, please keep us updated.

 

[LivinOnLove]

Well today they each have a nest. Separate but still in the same box, inches from each other. Each nest has 11 eggs, and when they went back to them they did each go back to the nest they had been sitting in. This is going to be interesting!

 

[LivinOnLove]

To update, they still have two nests right next to each other but they each sit on either. They are both sitting hard and refusing to budge when I try to get them out to eat and drink. But when I stopped trying, they started coming out once a day. They quack the whole time, and if I leave they yard open the drakes come running back and chase the mamas all over! Is that normal? So now that we are getting close to hatch date I am keeping the drakes away. I still need to figure something out for night though. My crazy mama (I also posted a separate question about her neck feathers) did leave the nest for a day and apart of another day. So I'm glad that there was another mama sitting the nest! All eggs seem to be growing. The last one I checked, I couldn't see much inside but did see movement. Getting to be a nervous mama here

 

[nayeli]

To update, they still have two nests right next to each other but they each sit on either. They are both sitting hard and refusing to budge when I try to get them out to eat and drink. But when I stopped trying, they started coming out once a day. They quack the whole time, and if I leave they yard open the drakes come running back and chase the mamas all over! Is that normal? So now that we are getting close to hatch date I am keeping the drakes away. I still need to figure something out for night though. My crazy mama (I also posted a separate question about her neck feathers) did leave the nest for a day and apart of another day. So I'm glad that there was another mama sitting the nest! All eggs seem to be growing. The last one I checked, I couldn't see much inside but did see movement. Getting to be a nervous mama here

I'm looking forward to hatch day! I'm really curious!

 

[LivinOnLove]

Today was hatch day!!!

I just had this feeling I should check them this morning (usually on weekends my wonderful hubby lets them out, gets eggs, etc. I know, I'm spoiled ) I was surprised to see the mamas all puffed up and quite upset I even came in the house. They usually had just gotten upset if I wanted to check the eggs or push them out to eat and drink. Well, when they move I saw a baby!! The last time I checked tonight, there were many, many babies, and a few still working on being born. They're so CUTE!! I really have no idea what to expect, but they are nice and protected with out latest house modification and should be good for a few weeks.




And as far as two ducks on one nest, I still have no idea how that working but it is. They did switch sides today, but I don't know if their babies switched with them or if they are just sharing. They all look much alike; there are yellow, black and yellow, and gray. As far as I know they are all Rouen or Rouen mixes. One of our drakes that we were told was a Rouen mix looks like a mallard though. It will be interesting to see if they each have their own broods or if they share it all! They're both being great mamas!

 

[KelC0308]

What kind of ducks are the mommas? They're beautiful! How many babies are there? I'm so excited for you!!

 

[VixyQ]

One of our ducks went broody around the end of April, and I stopped gathering the eggs in her nest. Within a couple days, MANY other of our ducks were laying in that nest too. In 6-7 days she was sitting 22 eggs!!! I read around and learned to number the eggs and take the newest ones out. So I did that for a week. Then a second duck started sitting the nest with her!? The second on is doing a great job, and the first one is learning from her. We did have a couple days that a third duck was sitting the nest! Now the last few days there has not been any new eggs, and it's just back to the two (now watch tomorrow I'll go out and it's be three again or something )  I guess I'm asking, what do we do? Are they going to fight over ducklings when they start hatching? I know they are turning the eggs in the nest, and I know the eggs are alive and growing inside. One duck baths and eats well, they other doesnt' so much, and I've read about the eggs needing humidity. We plan to keep them separate from the rest the week before they should be hatching (last week of May?) and then keep them separate for 2-3 weeks afterwards. There is no way I can keep them totally in, but I'm hoping mom/s can call a stray duckling back inside the fence if they wander out (the other typically spend the day in the woods/swamp away from the pen). And then at night we plan to lock them in the house while the others are in the yard. So is this a good plan, and what do I do about 2 ducks sitting one nest? Thanks!!

I know this was a couple of years ago now, but how did it all work out? I have the same issue, two ducks one nest, babies due in a few days, don't want to interfere but don't want them to kill any babies either!

 

[Muscovynmore]

VixyQ, first, no need to panic. Birds that don't mind sharing a nest are usually friendly, and neither of them should hurt the ducklings. One of the mothers might try to steal the babies, but if it's warm where you live, it should work out just fine.

Just keep an eye on them and watch for signs of aggression.