Nests

[Dom]

My muscovy hen is laying an egg wherever she sleeps! I don't think she is even making a nest anywhere.  What should I do?
She has layed 4 eggs in totally different spots.
Should I incubat them, or lock her up in a nest box?

Thanks, Dom

[Cathy]

I forget where you say you're located.  At this point, in the northern hemisphere, at least, we're heading into fall/winter.  If she started a nest now and started setting in, say, two weeks, that would mean her ducklings wouldn't hatch until approximately the 22nd of October.  If you have cold winters, are you or she going to be able to keep the ducklings safe and warm?  Are you going to want to have to deal with trying to grow these ducklings out well while also having to keep them warm?  They already have an increased energy need for growth, it will increase yet again if they have to keep warm, too.  If you incubate them you'll have to provide 100% of their heat and food needs.  Also, I have the worst luck with picking when I have late hatched birds and I tend to attribute this to the lack of insect protein and possibly fresh greens in their diet.

Anyway, none of this is insurmountable, just things you have to consider.  If you don't want ducklings then you can always grab up the eggs and use them for your baking!