Lazy, crazy, ducks! I have seen them line up to use one nest box when the one right next to it is empty and not used at all. They have favorite spots, and I think if they see a nest with an egg in it already they think it is a good place to lay. (that is the theory for nest eggs, the fake eggs that people used to put in nests to convince the birds to lay there.
If they have motherhood on their mind of course they return to where they laid their last Egg. (young ducks will often dump their eggs anywhere and everywhere, even in the pool) Ducks don't count very well so if another duck has laid an egg in her nest she doesn't notice. So when two ducks go broody at about the same time they end up setting the same nest where they have both been laying their eggs! Fighting is fairly normal when a duck catches another duck using HER nest, fighting for setting rights and fighting over ducklings when they hatch also happens, but they usually have established who is the boss by the time of hatch, and she ends up with the ducklings. Sometimes they will share all the way through and the ducklings end up with 2 moms. I hope this has answered your question, it sometimes happens but it is something that should be discouraged if possible. PS I have never seen it work out well when more than 2 ducks are involved.
If they have motherhood on their mind of course they return to where they laid their last Egg. (young ducks will often dump their eggs anywhere and everywhere, even in the pool) Ducks don't count very well so if another duck has laid an egg in her nest she doesn't notice. So when two ducks go broody at about the same time they end up setting the same nest where they have both been laying their eggs! Fighting is fairly normal when a duck catches another duck using HER nest, fighting for setting rights and fighting over ducklings when they hatch also happens, but they usually have established who is the boss by the time of hatch, and she ends up with the ducklings. Sometimes they will share all the way through and the ducklings end up with 2 moms. I hope this has answered your question, it sometimes happens but it is something that should be discouraged if possible. PS I have never seen it work out well when more than 2 ducks are involved.
