Hello.

This year, we were blessed with three wild mallards; one drake (who was actually born here two years ago), and two hens.

While one hen now happily resides at the pond with her seven ducklings, the other unfortunately died shortly after she began nesting. She had been acting sick for a while, so we had already been concerned for her well-being.

However, we loved her so much and couldn't stand the thought of letting her developing nest die; especially not with the circumstances as they were. So we rescued the nest.

Her eggs have developed well, and we have removed all of the dead/infertile eggs. The alive ones are now pipping and chirping. One pipped yesterday, and the rest pipped today.

But we are worried, because while at least one is chirping, none are pecking. Is the pecking supposed to be delayed, or is this really a cause for concern? We've been trying to encourage them by talking to them and playing chirping ducklings on loop. It gets them chirping, but still no pecking!