Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 5 lady pekins, 2 of whom are determined to lay eggs and actually sit on them. One has been sitting for almost 2 weeks in an area I couldn not get to until now (too wet and muddy). Even though pekin are notoriously bad mothers, these two girls seem determined. They live around a pond and I supplement their feed with cracked corn and the occasional catfish food that they sneak when I'm feeding the catfish.

I'm afraid they may be in danger during the nighttime as we live in the country. Since they are determined to lay in places I often cannot get to to destroy their nests, should I just get a drake and let them lay, or can I actually stop them from laying?

you cant stop them from laying but you might be able to get them to lay someplace more accessible to you. you can try putting boxes around and they may see it as a safe spot to lay. i have muscovies that like to hide their nests and i put a cat carrier inside their pen at night and now they will lay in there. i do gather the eggs daily. when they get very broody and you are collecting eggs you can use golf balls or fake eggs to replace the ones that you are taking.

Hi,

I have Muscovies and they make determined mothers too.
But mine thankfully use dog kennels i provided for them as nests and for roosting in at night.
Try to find an area that is easy for you and the ducks to access, but is safe as possible from predators. My ducks have even used old rabbit hutches as nests before.
I always give mine plenty of straw/hay for bedding, which also encourages them to lay in appropriate places.

If you were to get a drake, i doubt it would stop them from laying. If anything it might encourage more broody behaviour, and then the eggs would be fertile.

Mel X