Duck hatching and raising chickens

[Dragonsteel]

I gave my broody duck 9 chicken eggs to hatch. They will be safe from water but should I take them away once the eggs start to pip or let the Muscovy be their mom ?

 

[sourland]

I would take them away. In my experience, ducks with their webbed feet have inadvertently injured chicken chicks.

 

[Dragonsteel]

I would take them away. In my experience, ducks with their webbed feet have inadvertently injured chicken chicks.

Ok. How will the duck react once her eggs are gone ? Is there anything I should do for her ?

 

[sourland]

Ok. How will the duck react once her eggs are gone ? Is there anything I should do for her ?

Buy her some ducklings at TSC?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Chicken eggs are also thinner shelled than duck eggs, and a duck can easily break them by accident.

You could try giving her fake eggs.

Each duck reacts differently when losing a clutch. I had one Muscovy that got attacked, in the coop, while sitting. We took her inside to treat her and I candled the eggs. None were developing, so i just kept her inside. She was really depressed over the whole thing until I brought home some ducklings. Perked right up and adopted them as hers, even though they were already over a week old!

Other ducks, when I find their eggs aren't fertile and remove them, just take it in stride.