[LisaBellamy]

Hi has anyone any tips on encouraging a duck to brood? Ive got a pair of Cayuges, Ive had them 3 years and they are about 4 years old. She lays regularly in the Summer but never bothers to sit on the eggs. Ive successfully hatched one of her eggs under a hen but had to rehome the drake that was born as his dad just attacked him all the time! Would like a few more ducks but am loathe to buy any in in view of how the dominant drake behaved with his son.  Any ideas? Thanks

[lord flynn]

why not just buy in some females?

[Clansman]

Buying in is safest, if you hatch some you're going to get 50% drakes.

I thought Cayugas were usually pretty good at sitting on eggs, maybe this one doesn't like kids

Get a Muscovy duck for sitting on the eggs, they are bombproof mothers 

[HesterF]

I've had Cayugas for two years - got seven ducks and three drakes this year - and have not had a broody yet. I hatch in an incubator but you do have to be prepared to deal with (i.e. eat) spare drakes. Or to buy in more ducks - as I did this year when I couldn't bear to cull two of my fab looking boys. The three drakes are getting on just fine at the moment but you do have to have a clear majority of girls - two boys, one girl is never going to end well.