Need to Clean Brooding Pen-Momma Duck Upset

linen53 said:

You all have helped me so much in the past I thought I'd throw my new dilemma at you and see what your advice is.

In the last year I've come full circle. From receiving my first ducklings last May to my girls hatching out their own ducklings this May. It's been a learning experience (and expensive one). So thank you everyone for all your help.

Summer, one of my ducks has just hatched out 8 baby ducklings (3 days old now). She is a great Momma. I've left water and crumbles in there for the ducklings and thank goodness they are drinking and eating just fine thanks to their Momma showing them how.

I didn't think they were pooping very much till today when I found a very wet area under Summer, the Momma. I cleaned it out and shoved new shavings under her and she was VERY upset. She tried leaving but I have her nest area blocked off so none of the ducklings could get out.

How do I keep her and her babies clean and dry and yet not invade her space? I raised her from a 2 day old duckling so she is more tolerant toward me invading her space than some of my other girls I bought when they were adult birds. I have a total of 8 other girls setting right now and I know of at least 5 that will not tolerate me cleaning them up when their babies hatch.

Please tell me how to keep them clean and happy too.

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linen53 said:

Unfortunately, we've had a cold front come through. Temps are 40 degrees and it's raining. This cold front will last until Monday. Plus, Momma has 3 more eggs to hatch. I (shame on me) assisted a birth this afternoon only because I set up a heat lamp in her nesting area and she was a little freaked by it and abandoned her eggs, for about an hour. I was afraid the little tike wouldn't make it without assistance and heat.

Now she has settled down and has all 9 of her ducklings, including the assisted birth next to the heating lamp for assistance in keeping her 9 ducklings warm and showing me much appreciation for the help. And she has her 3 last eggs under her keeping them warm thank goodness.

I didn't see the need for a incubator until yesterday. Only then did I see that it was a possibility she might abandon the last of the eggs that are so close to hatching. I've candled them and they have live chicks in them. I've ordered the incubator yesterday but hindsight never works in reverse. I will only hope the assisted birth and the 3 eggs will make it.

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linen53 said:

Our weather warmed up yesterday and I was able to move them outside, finally. They are so much happier. Thanks for your advice.

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