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How to Protect Duck Eggs

Hollan Johnson

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.

If you protect the duck eggs, they will hatch into ducklings.

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Place plant containers with small bushes or flowers around the duck’s nest to make her feel safer and keep the duck eggs protected.

  4. 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.