Here's Maggie's story.....
Maggie is one of 28 ducks in my flock and she is the oldest hen. I usually keep the ducks locked in their pen until mid-morning until the bulk of the eggs are laid....better than a daily egg hunt around the farm.
Maggie likes the front yard and she, her mate and several others frequent it daily.
Each evening the duck are gathered back to the pen, fed kibble and then cooped for the night.
After several days of Maggie not returning with the flock to the coop after free ranging, I began searching for her nest. Diligent searching turned up nothing.
She would walk by the picture window every morning on her way back to the pen to eat and bathe.
For several days, I would sit on the front porch with my coffee waiting for her to emerge from her hiding place, but Maggie would out wait me.
Some days, I would try to catch her from the front window as she traveled back to her nest but I couldn't get out the front door fast enough to catch her.
Even mowing the lawn and running the weed wacker around all the beds, frequenting the yard with a flashlight several mornings and evenings turned up nothing.
Maggie is a very protective and diligent mom!
Finally....
I FOUND IT!
This morning Maggie came to the coop for food and water while I was outside. So I opened the gate to let her in with the flock.
I watched her eat and drink and hiss at the drakes who came near her. She head bobbed with her mate.
Maggie knew I was watching her and waiting for her to leave.
She waited until I gave up and opened the gate wide so all could leave. (means I have to scour the yards for eggs)
Anyway, Maggie waddled off with six headed for the front yard. She knew I was following and stopped to stare at me. She nibbled grass and would watch me...I had to pretend to pull weeds from a flower bed and she zipped under the boughs of the Scotch Pine.
Yes, I checked. Maggie hissed at me! May have two to four eggs.
She was on her nest in a very dark area between some Iris plants, a big rock and the trunk of the tree. Really nicely hidden.
Now that I know where the nest is, hubby suggested letting her finish her hatch instead of moving her. It is in the front yard where no critters go because there is highway traffic.
Will consider that....she probaby has 8 to 10 days until hatch. I would hate to move her to a private pen and condo and then see a stressed Maggie abandon the eggs.
Anyone have success moving a duck hen and her eggs?
Suggestions please!
Maggie is one of 28 ducks in my flock and she is the oldest hen. I usually keep the ducks locked in their pen until mid-morning until the bulk of the eggs are laid....better than a daily egg hunt around the farm.
Maggie likes the front yard and she, her mate and several others frequent it daily.
Each evening the duck are gathered back to the pen, fed kibble and then cooped for the night.
After several days of Maggie not returning with the flock to the coop after free ranging, I began searching for her nest. Diligent searching turned up nothing.
She would walk by the picture window every morning on her way back to the pen to eat and bathe.
For several days, I would sit on the front porch with my coffee waiting for her to emerge from her hiding place, but Maggie would out wait me.
Some days, I would try to catch her from the front window as she traveled back to her nest but I couldn't get out the front door fast enough to catch her.
Even mowing the lawn and running the weed wacker around all the beds, frequenting the yard with a flashlight several mornings and evenings turned up nothing.
Maggie is a very protective and diligent mom!
Finally....
I FOUND IT!
This morning Maggie came to the coop for food and water while I was outside. So I opened the gate to let her in with the flock.
I watched her eat and drink and hiss at the drakes who came near her. She head bobbed with her mate.
Maggie knew I was watching her and waiting for her to leave.
She waited until I gave up and opened the gate wide so all could leave. (means I have to scour the yards for eggs)
Anyway, Maggie waddled off with six headed for the front yard. She knew I was following and stopped to stare at me. She nibbled grass and would watch me...I had to pretend to pull weeds from a flower bed and she zipped under the boughs of the Scotch Pine.
Yes, I checked. Maggie hissed at me! May have two to four eggs.
She was on her nest in a very dark area between some Iris plants, a big rock and the trunk of the tree. Really nicely hidden.
Now that I know where the nest is, hubby suggested letting her finish her hatch instead of moving her. It is in the front yard where no critters go because there is highway traffic.
Will consider that....she probaby has 8 to 10 days until hatch. I would hate to move her to a private pen and condo and then see a stressed Maggie abandon the eggs.
Anyone have success moving a duck hen and her eggs?
Suggestions please!
