What is with my Duck Hen? Is maybe starting to be broody???

[Miss Lydia]

Indeed. I hope she'll go broody without her old nest.

Is it important she not have the old nest? If not you might try putting some eggs in both and see which one she chooses. I'll be back later need to get chores done.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Is it important she not have the old nest? If not you might try putting some eggs in both and see which one she chooses. I'll be back later need to get chores done.

I think I'll do that. I'm just not certain what I will do with the magpies if she does go broody in there. But I'll figure something out.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Alright, I put 4 of the eggs in with the Magpies in her old nest. I then put her in, First thing she did was go in the house to check on her nest, then she came out and started talking to the Magpies, they were all glad to see each other, then she started drinking and I left while she was doing so. If one duck gets broody, do the others follow?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Alright, I put 4 of the eggs in with the Magpies in her old nest. I then put her in, First thing she did was go in the house to check on her nest, then she came out and started talking to the Magpies, they were all glad to see each other, then she started drinking and I left while she was doing so. If one duck gets broody, do the others follow?

Sometimes it is catching. I am not familiar with How broody Magpies are so can't say for sure. If she does go broody though your going to have to figure out how to give her and the ducklings some space for at least a week or 2. This way mom and ducklings form a strong bond and no one can pick on them.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

How much time should I give her before giving up, she hasn't showed any signs except looking in the nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How much time should I give her before giving up, she hasn't showed any signs except looking in the nest.

Fertile eggs will stay viable for about seven days after being laid. After that, fertility starts to decline.10 days at the most but thing is some Muscovy's lay up to 20 eggs before they start to brood and most will hatch. So I think it depends on alot of circumstances too. If she hasn't begun to sit in 10 days and is still laying then I'd say it's up to you to either leave the eggs or take them. I always mark each egg laid with date so I can take out the oldest once they start to sit. I also am very careful not to get in over my head with ducklings since it's not that easy to place them here and I have to be careful I don't go over my limit in space.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Fertile eggs will stay viable for about seven days after being laid. After that, fertility starts to decline.10 days at the most but thing is some Muscovy's lay up to 20 eggs before they start to brood and most will hatch. So I think it depends on alot of circumstances too. If she hasn't begun to sit in 10 days and is still laying then I'd say it's up to you to either leave the eggs or take them. I always mark each egg laid with date so I can take out the oldest once they start to sit. I also am very careful not to get in over my head with ducklings since it's not that easy to place them here and I have to be careful I don't go over my limit in space.

Well it will be day 10 saturday. We'll see if anything happens. Will I need to get rid of the eggs since they've been out so long or will they be edible?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well it will be day 10 saturday. We'll see if anything happens. Will I need to get rid of the eggs since they've been out so long or will they be edible?

How are your temps? If 40 or below the newest one would be okay the dirtiest older ones I wouldn't eat.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

This week has been warm. Right now it's kinda cool.

 

[The Duck Ladie]

Okay so, it's been kinda of cold today, but not bad, then in a matter of minutes a blizzard came out of no where. I decided to take the eggs since she has shown not interest since saturday, and since I don't want to waste them. I got the eggs inside and started putting extra hay in with the quails to keep them warm, I turned around, the snow was stopping and the sun was coming. Now the snows gone, along with the cloud. I don't think I'll put the eggs back. If she shows interest again I'll try again. And today I think she (I don't think it's the magpie's) laid a mis-formed egg. It's very stranged shaped. The causes can be sickness (pretty sure she isn't sick), Overcrowding (don't think that's it) and stress. I think it's due to stress since I've moved her to different pens so much this week. So I am going to leave her, if she shows interest again, I'll try again.