Hi, I am just wondering how long a mallard hen would leave her nest during the incubation period? One decided to use the side of our house for her nest and laid 11 eggs. I believe the incubation period began, because she only left her nest once a day and would return. This Friday she was there in the morning and we haven't seen her since, it's now Sunday(so bout 2 days). We have been goin' out our garage and avoiding her area she laid in. We can see her nest under my bush from our sidelights, so we can watch her progress(little kids are excited). We have neighbors that have grandkids that will go on our lawn and haven't told the kids about the nest, so they won't bother her. Just hoping she comes back and not sure what to do. Thanks for any info

A clutch of 12 eggs is average, but sometimes they lay more or less. If she isn't finished laying, then it isn't a concern if she hasn't been to the nest much. Just to be safe, give the nest until the end of the week. If she hasn't laid anymore eggs or come back to the nest to start incubating, then you'll need to think about disposal. Have you seen her since Friday?

We have a similar situation. The hen has been incubating for about 4 weeks. Seven of the ten eggs hatched yesterday. The hen and ducklings are in a pond down the road. We have three unhatched eggs and aren't sure what to do. Any advice?

The hen incubates the eggs so that they all hatch about the same time. It sounds like the 3 that did not hatch were either not strong enough to break out of the egg or did not fully develop. If they haven't hatched by tomorrow, they are not going to hatch. If they don't hatch, the eggs will need to be disposed of. If it is an area away from your residence, local predators such as raccoons will probably take care of the eggs. The eggs are techinically protected by federal law, but if they are not going to hatch and are causing a smell, just place them in the trash.