Should I give my broody chicken fertile duck eggs?

[PirateGirl]

The title says it. My chicken has been broody for a week. She went broody 3-4 times last summer, so I know she’s serious about sitting. Pros? Cons? How many eggs do I give her? How many quitters are typical? I’d hate to have her sit a month and have nothing to show for it, but I really am not trying to grow my flock much larger, so I want to give her as few as possible to ensure success. If I have a bunch of eggs to choose from is there anything you look for that makes an eggs good vs. bad before you set it? Or do I just pick a few at random? Should I just break her? I do not own an incubator and will not purchase one. If she fails the eggs fail. If a duckling is raised by a broody chicken how long do you think it could live with the chickens before they might reject it and it needs to integrated with the duck flock? I have never hatched anything nor has this broody. She is about 2.5 years old (not sure if that matters).

 

[PirateGirl]

@Texas Kiki @chickens really @sumi @Miss Lydia

 

[Kiki]

YES!
I would give her 6 eggs and cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Sorry I haven't dealt with a broody hatch yet.

 

[casportpony]

Yes, do it! My broody chickens make good duck mothers. Anyone know what that thread is that has the picture of the silkie in the kiddie pool with her ducklings?

 

[chickens really]

Definitely a Chicken Hen can hatch Duck eggs.
She will raise them till she weans them at her own set time. Best of luck.
@MagpieDucks has done this a couple of times.

 

[MROO]

I'm with @Texas Kiki. I'd give her a half dozen eggs and see how it goes. Many, many years ago, I had a broody Nankin hen hatch and raise 8 baby mallards - out of abut 16 eggs we found randomly around the yard. There was never any problem with chickens - or ducks, for that matter - accepting the babies. They belonged to Henny Penny, and that was all they needed to know. She was a devoted mother ... until they discovered the baby pool. She went absolutely apoplectic the first time they went for a swim! She circled the pool, thrashing and screaming like a banshee. When they ignored her and started diving, she literally threw herself to to the ground and just lay here for several minutes. I swear, I thought she'd had a heart attack! As I was making my way to her, she got herself up and shook herself off. She then took a long look at the baby pool where "her" babies were cavorting ... and stalked away, never once looking back again. They'd been effectively - and successfully - disowned, and everybody did just fine!

 

[PirateGirl]

Yes, do it! My broody chickens make good duck mothers. Anyone know what that thread is that has the picture of the silkie in the kiddie pool with her ducklings?

Definitely a Chicken Hen can hatch Duck eggs.
She will raise them till she weans them at her own set time. Best of luck.
@MagpieDucks has done this a couple of times.

I’m just thinking about how BIG ducklings get. Will she take care of them until they are fully feathered? I don’t want to have to put heat in the coop really, though I have done it in the past.

 

[chickens really]

I’m just thinking about how BIG ducklings get. Will she take care of them until they are fully feathered? I don’t want to have to put heat in the coop really, though I have done it in the past.

They definitely harden off quickly and as long as you don't give her too many Ducklings to cover she will surprise you.

 

[casportpony]

I’m just thinking about how BIG ducklings get. Will she take care of them until they are fully feathered? I don’t want to have to put heat in the coop really, though I have done it in the past.

It hasn't been a problem for me here in California. These guys just huddled together and did okay. The hen shown, she was a modern game, ducklings were Muscovy.

 

[Morrigan]

Go for it!

And keep us posted on how it goes.