Call duck breeding

[Stuw79]

Hi,
I have two pairs of call ducks who have been in their breeding pen for two weeks now. The girls have made nests in the nest boxes, even if they have changed position a few times, and have been laying an egg almost every day.
My question is, when they go broody, which I hope will be quite soon, should I take the boys out? I have sacrificed the first two eggs they each laid to show them there are eggs to sit on and encourage broodiness. Hope it works.
Cheers

 

[Davidd]

Hello, you can leave the drakes with them-normally it will not be a problem.
regards, David

 

[Stuw79]

Cheers David,
Do you think taking them out will upset the girls? Also when I've had broody hens I just left them to it but some people say you should get chuck them off the eggs once a day for food etc. Will calls sort them selves out?
Thanks again.

 

[Davidd]

Hello, i would let them get on with it- you will upset the ducks more by taking them of- they will come off when they want/need too. Also, i would leave the drakes with them- it's normal for ducks .
regards, David

 

[Stuw79]

Thanks again,
One more thing. Once the ducklings hatch and are a couple of weeks old I was going to let them all back into the garden to free range. This would mean that I'd need to lock them in at night. I'm not having to do that with them in the pens. I can use the nesting boxes as additional housing but should I put the drakes in the house with duck and ducklings?
Cheers again.

 

[Anonymous]

No, personally, once hatched I would take the drakes out as they're quite capable of killing ducklings. I would leave the ducklings in the pen with the girls and put them in everynight. Better safe than sorry!! Good luck 17