How to Protect Duck Eggs
With humans encroaching on nature, there are times when ducks, usually a mallard, will lay eggs in a backyard. If this happens in your yard, you can help protect the duck eggs from predators so the eggs can hatch and the ducklings can go on their way with their mother.
Things You Will Need
- Pen
- Plant containers
Warning
Avoid disturbing the nest by touching or moving it as the mother duck might not nest if the eggs are moved.
Making the mother duck comfortable enough to keep caring for her eggs is your best bet at protecting them.
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Allow your lawn to grow out around the duck’s nest, as high grass will make the mother feel safer. Do not mow the lawn while the mother duck is nesting as it might frighten her off.
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Place a pen around the duck’s nest to keep predators out of her way. If you have dogs or cats, try to keep them out of your yard while the duck is nesting.
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Place plant containers with small bushes or flowers around the duck’s nest to make her feel safer and keep the duck eggs protected.
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Allow the mother duck to care for her eggs until they hatch, which usually takes about a month. Once all the eggs are hatched, the mother and her ducklings will leave. Dispose of any unhatched eggs at this time.
Writer Bio
Hollan Johnson is a freelance writer and contributing editor for many online publications. She has been writing professionally since 2008 and her interests are travel, gardening, sewing and Mac computers. Prior to freelance writing, Johnson taught English in Japan. She has a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photo Credits
- baby ducklings image by Jon R Peters from Fotolia.com
- baby ducklings image by Jon R Peters from Fotolia.com
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