duckbuddy   Mama mallard abondons nest!!?? Registered Member Posts: Joined: 04-05-12 02:42 AM   First Post Posted on: 04-07-13 04:37 PM Today morning, I found that my mama mallard is not in the nest. Did she abandon the nest? Now the eggs are simply lying there in the nest. I thought she would come back and sit on them. But it is evening now and she has not yet returned. What do I do? She is laying for the first time. I am a bit worried too. Pls help shicks0211   mallard Registered Member Posts: Joined: 08-27-12 09:05 AM   Reply #: 1 Posted on: 04-08-13 08:48 AM It is normal for a sitting duck to leave the nest for periods of time.  it depends on how long she's left.  I've seen them leave for hours and then come back.  However, if a predator or something scared her off..or you don't see her at all she may have left.  How far into the cycle are the eggs?  In other words..is it close to the 28 day point?  if you don't see her, you may want to consider attempting to finish the incubation yourself ..just get an incubator..get the temp up to about 99.6 and put them in it.  put some water in the incubator to keep it humid..and turn the eggs several times a day.  Depending on how long it's been since she left you may be able to save some of them.  Candle the eggs before you put them in the incubator..you should be able to see the little guys moving around if they're still alive in there. duckbuddy   Mama mallard abondons nest!!?? Registered Member Posts: Joined: 04-05-12 02:42 AM   Reply #: 2 Posted on: 04-08-13 03:54 PM She just started sitting on the eggs. It has been only a few days. duckhaven   Mama mallard abondons nest!!?? Registered Member Posts: Joined: 01-04-13 02:23 AM   Reply #: 3 Posted on: 04-08-13 04:16 PM Are these eggs left uncovered? If mam mallard has left the nest without covering the eggs, it is most likely that she is  scared off by a predator. If she has covered the eggs with feathers, then you don't worry, she has covered the eggs to keep these eggs warm and will return soon. I know ducks usually leave from time to time to feed or to continue mating (a mallard can hatch ten or more ducklings at a time). duckbuddy   Mama mallard abondons nest!!?? Registered Member Posts: Joined: 04-05-12 02:42 AM   Reply #: 4 Posted on: 04-08-13 05:47 PM Yes, the eggs are covered..... and the eggs are still warm!!!! duckbuddy   Mama mallard abondons nest!!?? Registered Member Posts: Joined: 04-05-12 02:42 AM   Reply #: 5 Posted on: 04-08-13 06:03 PM Mama mallard returned!!! and she is sitting on the eggs now...