Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/6/2009

Question
We discovered a nest with about 6 eggs behind a bush in our front yard.  There are ducks that frequently roam our neighborhood so we're assuming they are duck eggs,  however we have yet to see a duck sitting on the nest.  Is there something we should do?  Is it normal for a duck to remain away from its nest for lengthy periods of time?

Answer
Domestic or domesticised ducks tend to act strangely, but here's what I can tell you. Ducks will lay 6-20 eggs and will not sit on them until the last egg is laid. So even if she lays 20 eggs over a period of 20 days,she will not incubate or sit on them until the 20th egg is laid. So they may not be abandoned at all. On the other hand, the female could have abandoned the nest or have been eaten by a dog or cat or coyote or whatever. The male has nothing to do with the nest or incubation.
That said, there is nothing you can or should do. If the nest is not abandoned, the birds will come back. If it is, the eggs are probably no good and trying to hatch them would likely be futile. Just keep an eye on the nest and you will soon know what the story is. Thanks for your concern.