Will my duck get broody?

[Ducktown]

Here's a short duck story..

I have 3 indian runner hens and they started laying eggs in early February. I have been collecting the eggs since the beginning and somewhere around mid March I noticed blood on one egg. Sometimes there was little blood, sometimes it was almost completely covered in blood and there could be even some on other two eggs. I decided to check on them, which one is having issues and notice that the fattest and largest one often lags behind when they run around and loves to lay down and rest if the other two are not moving.
I tried many things regarding the bloody egg issue and it never completely went away. I thought it might not be bad idea to let her go broody for a while to heal and get some rest. Well a few days ago, I have noticed only 2 eggs in their duck house and I thought, well, perhaps she is skipping and will molt or get some rest. I have noticed a few times that I could only see two of my ducks, and the one I was worried about was missing. This morning, I have seen where she was! Under a bench in the garden, there's a perfect hideout and I saw her sitting under the bench, not moving and laying low. When she went out, I have found she dug quite deep into the sand and laid 2 eggs already! She waited whole morning and didn't lay an egg just to get it there. I guess she doesn't like us stealing her eggs.

Now I have some questions. I have bought 10 fertilized duck eggs and placed them into their duck house - their nest they use together. Will she, or one of the other 2 ducks start sitting on them, or would it be better to place the eggs into the hidden nest outside? I have noticed she got quite depressed when I took the eggs from there and as the other two ducks were preening and taking care of their feathers, she just stood motionless next to them, doing nothing and watched me observing them. I guess she knows who the thief is.
Until now, they haven't gone back into their duck house. I will take them inside in the evening and see how it goes.
Do you think 10 eggs I got them will be enough for them to get broody? I think she already shows some signs she might be half the way there already.

"I know you did it!"

10 eggs I placed into their shared nest

 

[chickens really]

Sounds like she has began to lay and collect eggs. You can try giving them to her in her chosen site and see if she begins to set them..

 

[Ducktown]

Soil below is not warm and there is nothing under except sand. If I place the eggs there, should I also give her some hay, dry leaves and similar for her to use as a bedding?

 

[chickens really]

Soil below is not warm and there is nothing under except sand. If I place the eggs there, should I also give her some hay, dry leaves and similar for her to use as a bedding?

Yes..And then watch to see what she does..Wait to see first if she goes back to that site to lay another egg or if she chooses another spot?...

 

[chickens really]

You could go put two marked dud eggs back into that site she chose and see what she does. Duck hens are different than Chickens..

 

[Ducktown]

I'll do it next morning when they go for a swim first thing in the morning. If she stays inside duck house in the morning and lays another egg there, if not, I'll get them to her outdoor hideout. I will place her two eggs back if she doesn't accept the nest inside. They have made a deep nest there as well. I'm not sure which one does it, but they make it instantly even after I change their bedding. I can only say for sure that this one (blue feathered duck from the pics) dug the nest. Other two might or might not have done some work inside their house.

 

[chickens really]

I'll do it next morning when they go for a swim first thing in the morning. If she stays inside duck house in the morning and lays another egg there, if not, I'll get them to her outdoor hideout. I will place her two eggs back if she doesn't accept the nest inside. They have made a deep nest there as well. I'm not sure which one does it, but they make it instantly even after I change their bedding. I can only say for sure that this one (blue feathered duck from the pics) dug the nest. Other two might or might not have done some work inside their house.

Best wishes...

 

[Ducktown]

Best wishes...

I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for your help!

 

[chickens really]

I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for your help!

Your welcome.....I look forward to hearing back...

 

[Ducktown]

Here we go. It is morning and I had let them out. I placed eggs with their pointy end down yesterday. This morning, I have found 3 new eggs and all the eggs turned horizontally and placed in perfect circle.

All the ducks jumped out and went foraging.