Yes, she will set on a nest of nonfertile eggs. The sex drive of male mallards is incredible. Especially this time of year when the hens are all setting and are unavailable, or the unattached males are just dieing to get some action. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if they flew in for a romp every day, assuming that you have an uncovered pen, which you must, or why would you even think that they could have bred her? The big danger with that set up, is that she is dead meat if any predators happen by. They don't call them sitting ducks for nothing, although the proper term is "setting". If the eggs are fertile, you can tell now by candling them with a flashlight. If any are clear, throw them out, leaving the others, and get rid of the ball. If they are all clear, take them, so she'll start laying for you again. You should also know that Campbells, as a laying breed, are notoriously poor mothers. You'll find many exceptions, and people delight in bragging that they have one who sets full term and actually raises the young to boot. Still, those are the exceptions, and in general, even if they do set, they have a high rate of abandonment of eggs, or of ducklings, if they get that far.

I have raised several wood ducks. They are the most wonderful little birds. I loved mine. One died. It got sick I guess, and one was killed by a hawk. It was so sad. Since then I have raised two more. They are a male and female. They have not laid eggs though. Not sure they will in captivity but maybe next spring I will find out differently. They are not like normal ducks though they are very friendly and attach to their human friends(-: If your duck is able to fly off she might call a mate. They have a beautiful call.

Dumor makes an egg laying mixture, get that and you won't have the problem anymore. I had the two elements separated at first, and the tiny little shell fragments by themselves aside from the food is not going to make them want to eat it. My ducks didn't even bother trying to eat the shell pieces. They would eat the food around the shell mix and leave it alone. Dumor takes the shells and turns it into a powder so it blends in with the food and they eat it regardless. And they love it, youll see a big change in their interest to eat. The shells in the food that the specific manufacturer produces were so tough i had to pry them open after the whole egg was cracked all over. The membrane on the inside of the egg had to be torn through it was so well made. Theres not much else to say other than to use that feed. All ducks were laying eggs of that quality. They also need tons of water to produce them but it sounds like you have that covered. The food is formulated specifically for Ducks and Chickens. Other Full flock feeds contain a broad range of grains that Ducks sometimes don't need as its not what they eat naturally, but its food nevertheless and its in front of them so they eat it. Or parts of it. You also have to give them worms every now and then which contain protein. They go absolutely crazy over them. But youll have super healthy Ducks with this feed. Good luck with it/them...

Hi Lisa, Could you please let me know if the rest of the eggs laid are also light in color? I'm trying to figure out why all the eggs are the usual, vivid blue, and one is a light blue. Thanks for letting me know that your previous eggs did not change color in cold temps. I am just curious what would cause the difference in color. Thanks