The farmers who own these areas provide sanctuaries for the ducks. They even create structures and habitats for the ducks to help them lay their eggs safely. They also protect the birds from predators like seagulls, minks, and foxes. When the eggs are close to hatching, the eider farmers take some of the eiderdown out of the nests and replace it with dry hay. When the bird and young leave the nest at the end of the summer, the farmer takes the rest of the eiderdown.In this way, no birds are harmed during harvesting.