Missing duck eggs

[Imndixie]

I have a stray Muscovy who has made her nest in my horse barn in the hay. This is her 3rd time laying eggs. She just layed her 1st egg and on day 2 she has disappeared. I checked the nest & her 1 egg is gone. I have a trail cam setup and can see a cat messing in the hay. 1 pic shows "Miss Tilly" sitting on her nest and the cat around her in the hay. She's doesn't seem phased. There are several pics with the cat around but not messing with the nest. What could have happened?

 

[igorsMistress]

Snakes, possums, trash bandits, rats, other birds. Is the trail cam picking up night traffic?

 

[Imndixie]

Yes. Even at night. I see the cat who doesn't seem to mess with the nest on several occasions but nothing else

 

[igorsMistress]

The camera didn’t pick up anything? Interesting, maybe a snake? Did it roll off somewhere after she left?

 

[Imndixie]

The camera didn’t pick up anything? Interesting, maybe a snake? Did it roll off somewhere after she left?

No. No shells anywhere and no sign of her anywhere. I'm puzzled. Snake was my first thought but I've NEVER seen a snake in the barn and it's been there for over 10 years!

 

[igorsMistress]

No. No shells anywhere and no sign of her anywhere. I'm puzzled. Snake was my first thought but I've NEVER seen a snake in the barn and it's been there for over 10 years!

Snake was my first thought also. That’s crazy! I dunno, I would think anything else would be caught by the camera. Maybe it was , they mess up the electronics in movies.

 

[Imndixie]

Snake was my first thought also. That’s crazy! I dunno, I would think anything else would be caught by the camera. Maybe it was , they mess up the electronics in movies.

This is her 3rd time laying and I can see the cat when she was sitting on her 2nd batch. The cat is snooping in the bales of hay around her but doesn't disturb the nest even when shes not there. I just hope she comes back.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Add squirrels to that list of critters that can steal eggs. Usually it is when they are nursing young or pregnant and need the extra protein. They will snatch baby chicks and wild birds right out of the nest too.

 

[Imndixie]

UPDATE! Miss Tilly is back! Haven't checked her nest or the trail cam yet. Hopefully I can figure out what's going on!

 

[igorsMistress]

UPDATE! Miss Tilly is back! Haven't checked her nest or the trail cam yet. Hopefully I can figure out what's going on!

If she continues are you going to let her hatch?