Hi all Duck experts
I am probably missing the obvious - but can anyone help with advice on how to keep a broody duck safe?
We have just lost our lovely Dora who had built her nest 3 weeks ago in our neighbours veg plot (she was very good at taking different routes each time to her nest, so we only managed to work out where it was a few days ago after watching her for 3 weeks)
We kept well away from the area, but we think the fox got her Friday night as she didn't appear back home for water & food on Sat as each day she was coming back for around an hour or so before sitting again. We checked out the nest Sun morning and it was abandoned so we removed the eggs as they were stone cold.
This is the second time we have lost a free range Duck in this way that has nested off site and I imagine the urge to build & hide the nest is strong.
Our Drake is now alone and before we decide to get another female or give him away is there a way I can keep them free range in the day but stop the female building a nest outside of their pen? What we had hoped is she would build in the pen where we can still lock her in at night but as it was she was left in a vulnerable position at night. She only had a week to go before hatching was due, so we are all upset.
Should I have moved the nest to her pen once we found it?
Should I keep any female in until late morning to ensure they lay in their pen?
We dont especially want ducklings but do enjoy two ducks is there such a thing as a non broody female duck to keep our Drake company???
Many thanks