nest sharing

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:45 am

Hey everyone,

Just wanting some ideas. I have 3 muscovies and last time I let them sit on eggs, I had issues with 2 of my ducks insisting on sitting on the same nest, which resulted in a lot of rotten eggs exploding at the end of the incubating period, and only 6 ducklings hatching(1 died), which I hand raised 'cause the mothers were too preoccupied fighting over the nest.. In that situation I couldn't really keep one duck out because they'd laid outside and my attempts at fencing off the nest didn't stop the other duck from getting in.

Since that incident I have made a note not to let them hatch eggs outside. They're all currently laying in their shed, which is great, that's exactly where I want them to lay. But 2 ducks are using the same nest again! One started sitting yesterday and the other duck has muscled in on the same nest today. Thankfully because of where the nest is I am able to put a proper fence around the nest to stop the 2nd duck sitting there as well.

My question is, these 2 ducks always seem to lay in the same spot, is there anything I can do to encourage them to lay in separate nests? Maybe setting up 2 nest sites next to each other and dividing the eggs between them? Are they smart enough to realise that's not where they laid them in the first place?

MANYDUCKS · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:15 pm **Posts:** 10

I would try that as I think that would work you can do it with chooks so maybe with ducks but I have never tried it so can be sure it will work but worth a try I think

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:34 am

MANYDUCKS wrote:

I would try that as I think that would work you can do it with chooks so maybe with ducks but I have never tried it so can be sure it will work but worth a try I think

Thanks. I have set up another nest next to the duck that's sitting and placed some fake eggs in there, hopefully that will persuade her to lay there instead.

Kota · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:12 pm **Posts:** 3

How do 2 geese go sharing the same nest?

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

I have two geese sitting in the same spot however each has their own nest as such ie they have built up an area of mulch and feathers and have eggs in there so they are sitting back to back but not on the same eggs (does that make any sense) Two of anything sitting on the same nest will result in crushed eggs, eggs rolled out and other related problems, when they start to sit tight you could try moving one a small distance with eggs. I have used a piece of thn board/cardboard to block them from eachother.

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:44 am

Well I tried setting up another nest next to the one they're sitting on with some fake eggs in it.. but they didn't like that idea and insisted on cramming into one nest. I've now removed one of the girls and built a pen around the nest so she can't get back in... she's most unimpressed with me, but I'm sure she'll get over it. The one that is still sitting is doing a great job, I've candled the eggs and they all have vein development and are looking good.

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:49 am

Good news Muscovyduck!

I've had the same problem with 3 ducks sitting together :shock:

Together they managed to hatch about 6 ducklings, which I removed so they would keep sitting, but the rest turned out to be duds

.

As for moving them, Well I've had ducks move eggs OUT of another ducks nest and into hers - the top of which was a good foot off the ground! Don't ask me how she managed it without breaking them, but there you go. I think that if you want to keep the duck out, you can only do what you have done - stop her getting there completely!

Good luck with the rest of your eggs.

Kota · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:12 pm **Posts:** 3

I like the idea of the cardboard in between I will try that thanks

Goosee · **Joined:** Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:06 pm **Posts:** 2

I have used the same idea and it works well make sure its fastened well and I put a few small hole in the divider to allow air to move through

Kota · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 1:12 pm **Posts:** 3

Good thinking it would also stop them from overheating I guess

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