2 broody mallards won't accept ducklings

[Amanda Campbell]

I have 2 broody mallards who have been sitting on fake eggs, because they don't have fertile eggs. So I had ordered ducklings for them. I tried to give them to the mommas, but they won't accept them. 1 of them tried attacking the ducklings to death. The other just let them sit next to her, but wouldn't let them underneath her.

Should I try again?
If the mommas won't accept them, will the mommas finally give up nesting when the eggs don't hatch?
should I remove their eggs from them? will that make them stop being broody?

 

[casportpony]

I have 2 broody mallards who have been sitting on fake eggs, because they don't have fertile eggs. So I had ordered ducklings for them. I tried to give them to the mommas, but they won't accept them. 1 of them tried attacking the ducklings to death. The other just let them sit next to her, but wouldn't let them underneath her.

Should I try again?
If the mommas won't accept them, will the mommas finally give up nesting when the eggs don't hatch?
should I remove their eggs from them? will that make them stop being broody?

Welcome to BYC!
Did you try this when it was dark?

 

[happy duck]

I would move the fake eggs. Maybe separate the ducklings from mama. If the mom looks interested after the fake eggs are taken away then watch them and see how they do. Good luck!

 

[Amanda Campbell]

Welcome to BYC!
Did you try this when it was dark?

No I read not to do it in the dark. With the temps getting lower here this week.I am afraid they would die if she won't let them under her.

 

[casportpony]

No I read not to do it in the dark. With the temps getting lower here this week.I am afraid they would die if she won't let them under her.

Doing it in the dark would require you to sit and watch for several hours.

 

[PirateGirl]

I made an attempt at this a few weeks ago. The moms would not take the ducklings. I would try again a few times with the non-aggressive one, but be prepared to raise them in a brooder and re-introduce them at an older age. My nice hens ignore the ducklings (no mothering) and the mean one is well, mean. So the ducklings have been in the house with visitation on opposite sides of the fence. I also have read that you may have better luck with a broody that has sat on the eggs to term, so if the broody has been broody for over 20 days or so when ducklings would naturally be close to hatching, and you pull the eggs and introduce the babies, this timing is your best bet, though it may or may not ever work out. Good luck!

 

[casportpony]

 

[Amanda Campbell]

I made an attempt at this a few weeks ago. The moms would not take the ducklings. I would try again a few times with the non-aggressive one, but be prepared to raise them in a brooder and re-introduce them at an older age. My nice hens ignore the ducklings (no mothering) and the mean one is well, mean. So the ducklings have been in the house with visitation on opposite sides of the fence. I also have read that you may have better luck with a broody that has sat on the eggs to term, so if the broody has been broody for over 20 days or so when ducklings would naturally be close to hatching, and you pull the eggs and introduce the babies, this timing is your best bet, though it may or may not ever work out. Good luck!

The broodies have been sitting for 24 days, so I honestly thought that this would go smoother. BUT they are mallards and very difficult. I can't even touch them. I have tried again, the one mom seems to doing better about it. She has not let them get underneath her yet, but they are all snuggled up beside her and she is allowing them to do that. SO I have high hopes for her. If she hasn't allowed them under her by night fall I will pull them. I have others in the house from the same order they can go with.

The other one is not gonna have it. So I guess she will have to deal with no babies. I did take her eggs away. Will she eventually give up being broody without eggs?

 

[Lil Drake40]

Eventually lol. Did you take the fake eggs away from the female who is being kind of respective to the ducklings?

 

[PirateGirl]

I don't know the full answer. I have one that isn't setting, but she has been super cranky and hormonal for weeks now and nothing seems to change that. We went through a spell where she wouldn't set, wouldn't lay, and wouldn't mother the ducklings. She's all sorts of confused, so now I just ignore her honking and act like everything is normal. I have taken all eggs away and cleaned the duck house and she is laying again, so hopefully she will calm down soon, but it's been almost a month since I took away the eggs and started collecting every day.