Can you slip ducklings under broody duck just like w/ broody chicken?

So, I took the eggs from my first time broody mama duck after she incubated them for about 3 weeks. She was getting off the nest for longer than I felt comfortable with and rolled three eggs with babies out of the nest and cracked them open. I replaced them in the nest with unfertalized eggs and mama is still setting. The eggs have now started to pip in the bator and I am not sure what I should do to get them back to their mama. I am concerned that because ducklings imprint so strongly that slipping them under mama after they hatch might not work. Should I move the eggs back now that they are pipping or wait for them to hatch and then put them under her at night? Has anyone had success or complications with this? I have posted a couple times before so I am sorry to keep asking the same questions but I still haven't got any answers and I am hope that SOMEBODY can help me

your duck chicks wil think there chickens dont do it unless ou want a identity crisis lol

Wow, that is a problem. I have no idea. Just wanted to offer the "what I would do with no experience, and zero knowledge to go on" advice so you wouldn't feel so alone. Maybe help you keep this thread more noticable to.

I would keep them in the bator for the hatch because from what I understand humidity is pretty critical at that point and the trip to momma may not be so good even if she is being good.

I would start with one duckling, and would try to slip it under her as early in the a.m. as possible, before light and remove the eggs, or some of them. I would watch very carefully to her response to the little one, and if all is well after an hour, add another and take away some, one, or more of the eggs. I would just keep going this way until they were all out, but I would also have the brooder still set up and ready to go just incase there is a problem. I would watch them very, very closely for the first 24, pretty closely during the next 48, ect. ect.

I think babies will bond to momma. After all she is warm, safe, and does cool stuff like leading them to the food.

There now someone who knows what to do can chime in..........

Quote:
I am not quite sure I understand. I won't be putting them under a chicken, I want to put them back under their mama duck. I am worried they will imprint on me if I let them hatch in the bator but don't want to move them while they are pipping if it will harm their chances of hatching.....

oh fought u ment chicken lol u should be fine

LOL, your poor post! This must not happen very often. I keep checking back to see if anyone has posted just incase the same thing happens to me at some point. I honestly wouldn't be sooo concerned about imprinting. Yes, I know they bond with the first thing they see, but after that they are also wired to bond with siblings, dad, other flock mates and eventually a mate. Just think about how many hatchery ducks have become well adjusted "pets" toatlly bonded with their owners. They bond with the first thing they see, but not ONLY to that person/duck, ect. Good luck, and I would love to hear how your duckies fare, and also what you decide to do.

Hey Chickboss, yeah I guess you are right, this must not happen very often. I will be lol, after it is done.... I am now doubting myself in taking them away in the first place but I just couldn't stand to find another egg with a fully developed duckling dragged out of its egg in the run. I don't know how it was happening because it always happened when we were not around. None of the unfertile chicken eggs I slipped under her have been pushed out yet. I would feel better about it all if it wasn't her first time being broody, I want to fully trust her but just couldn't anymore. Hopefully it will all work out and thank you for your advice! I will be trying to slip them under her and take the eggs away at the same time. Perhaps I will even stick in the eggs shells for effect. I will see how it goes over. As it is she hisses and bites at me anytime I go anywhere near the nest and this is my baby who I hatched and follows me around everywhere normally. I am wondering how to actually do the sneaking part of putting the babies under her, lol. I will keep ya posted!

LOL, I can imagine "sneaking" may turn into something much more adventurous! Can't wait to hear how it turns out. At least she is protecting the nest, I would think that is very good. Don't second guess yourself, or beat yourself up if things don't go as planned. It's great to have solid advice, but our own instincts can be pretty darn good in the absence of it. Just do the best you can, and next time, if something happens like this again, you will have much more knowledge to go on. I have my fingers crossed that momma will be good to them for you!

I know this is an old thread but I am experiencing a similar challenge and I don't see where you posted the outcome here. I have had a duck sitting on eggs for 30 something days now--a chicken destroyed the first batch of eggs so we replaced the one remaining that happened to be infertile anyway with five new eggs. She sat for the full incubation period for the second set and we found that two of the 5 went missing and the other three were starting to rot. So, we ordered 4 ducklings from Metzer Farm. They should be here Wednesday. Our duck is like yours though and hisses and bites at me when I try to move her to look at her nest.

What did you end up doing and was it successful? She wants to be a mom so bad but I'm just not sure how to do this. Thanks.