Duck mating

[Amy]

Hi

I have 2x rescued 'wild' mallard ducks. The male is totally blind and the female cant fly. I have had them about 3 months now and they have adapted well. They have a large pen (140sqm) and a little pond so I am trying to make their life as happy as possible. They also have chickens for company.

Over the last few days, my husband and I have seen them mating in the water and the female is now restless, walking round the pen quacking looking into every hidyhole so I guess she is looking to nest. Nowhere seems suitable to her though as she wont settle. I have put a smaller 'broody' house near the pond but she just ignores it or sits on the roof.

Is there anything I can do to assist or should I just leave her to it?

Many thanks
Amy

 

[Davidd]

Hello Amy- she will find her own place- and normally when she knows you are not watching
I would have thought she should have been laying by now but maybe she is young?
Anyway- i hope she finds some where suitable soon!
regards, David

 

[Amy]

Hi David
I have no idea how old she is to be honest.
She is still a bit skittish around humans so I try to leave her alone rather than scare her more.
She is getting a lot better. When she first arrived, she hid constantly. Now you can walk quietly and slowly passed her without her freaking. I guess maybe that could be why she hasnt laid yet?!?
Should I be worried?!? :?

Many thanks
Amy

 

[Amy]

Woohoo my duck is laying an egg a day bless her! She sits on it all night and for an hour in the morning, then gets bored and leaves it so I guess she doesnt want to be a mum yet!!!

 

[Ulsta Dyook Wife]

Hi there,

Glad to hear your duck is finally laying Has she found a nice place for a nest yet? I wonder if the trauma they have been through delayed her eggs? You say they were rescued, and that the drake is blind. It sounds like they had a poor life before they came to you?

Goodluck and hope they have lots of healthy babies

Hazel

 

[Amy]

Hi Hazel

Daisy has been sat on her nest now for 8 days. She made a beautiful nest in the corner of our hen house and gathered all the chucks discarded feathers and made such a snuggly nest bless her! She is sat on 8 eggs.
My boy, Duke, is a little bewildered without her to lead him around but he is managing. He just goes from his bed in the hen house to the pond and back again at night...after banging into a few things bless him!

 

[Ulsta Dyook Wife]

How exciting! It sounds like she is going to sit on her nest properly then. We had 8 baby ducks last summer, brought out by a hen. The ducks are now all huge ravenous creatures, some a bit clucky themselves, but I'm having to discourage that this summer, as I'm having a baby of my own

Poor lonesome Duke. I'm sure he knows what's going on though. You will have to post some photos when the little balls of fluff hatch

Hazel

 

[Amy]

Hi Hazel, CONGRATULATIONS What fabulous news!!!!
I will definitely post images when they are born!!! Just wish I could keep them!