A Single Cayuga Duckling just Hatched!🧡 Help Needed!

[1DuckMore]

So I have 7 now adult ducks - I had 10 and lost three to predators, which was heartbreaking: the Loudest, the Weakest and the Leader. That’s its own story. After the leader was killed in what I believed was a predator proof pen (the others went missing while free ranging), I brought them into the garage while I build another bigger, better Coop and run. The girls were still laying eggs and I wistfully hoped I might have one of the leader’s offspring (a gorgeous Ancona). Those first eggs went into the incubator as none of my girls had gone broody enough to sit and it was getting cold. The initial eggs failed to thrive, but I collected some more, I suppose to ease my heartache. The other night I had one egg that was clearly fertile, but fairly early on, and another that was full but so dark inside that I thought it had to be bad, yet it didn’t smell and the mom is Cayuga, so I put it back in the incubator in hopes of getting some photos and posting here before deciding what to do.

Then we heard peeping about an hour ago. A little Christmas miracle has arrived all on her own with a big voice!

But what do I do this time of year with one duckling. Will her Mom care for her? Is it safe to introduce them? I am wondering if I could keep mom (if she takes to mothering) and baby inside until the baby grows. Anyone have advice?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Most ducks will only care for ducklings they believe they hatched themselves. If she’s broody and trying to nest, you may be able to trick her, otherwise I wouldn’t risk it.

You could raise the baby alone with a mirror for comfort and allow supervised duck visits until the baby is older.
OR, you could go buy a duckling or two as a companion. Either option would be good.

 

[1DuckMore]

Thank you so much! Do you know of anywhere that carries baby ducklings this time of year?

Her momma is the most broody duck I have, (once finding her way into their bag of bedding, which was high up for, laid an egg and sat there until the lure of peas and watermelon became too much for her)! But then she’d only sit at night time and go out all day with the others.

I don’t want to risk her hurting the baby by trampling or something and I do stll have a brooder, heater and all. I’ll set it up and get a mirror in there and go that route at least for a few days.

Right now I’ve got her waddled up in a bib inside my sports bra and she is sleeping, with little peeps every once and again - she was squalling when we first found her. There are other eggs in the incubator and I didn’t want the roller to hurt her.

Thanks again, if you can think of anything else, please let me know.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Tractor Supply is the first place I can think of. You may have some other local hatcheries nearby as well.

If you’ll have others hatching soon, you could hold off on buying for now. I found as long as ducklings are within about 2 weeks of age, they can be raised together with little to no issue.

I’ve had a few solo ducklings.. I remember it being a bit tiring, haha. Even with a mirror, they are still fairly needy. You may need to carry them around with you more than usual.

 

[1DuckMore]

Thanks again! The mirror made such a difference! I’ll try and post a video. This duckling is just too adorable. While it was this year the others hatched, I’d already forgotten just how adorable they are. Having fun carrying her around too, hoping she will not outgrow the desire to be held.

We checked the other eggs and it looks possible that she will have siblings within a week or two. Just so hard with these particular eggs, such a blackish color inside and so opaque. They have nice air pockets though, but no visible movement, or heartbeats. Also no cracks, chips or sounds. But then again look much like this ducklings did a few days ago - so we are hopeful!

 

[KathiQuacks]

If you can get photos of you candling, I could tell you how far along everyone is And if they’re alive or not.

 

[1DuckMore]

Kathi, I am hatching a friend tonight! So glad as you are quite right, my solo duckling is more needy and while I love being the object of affection, I cannot hold hee 24/7! The mirror does help out quite a bit, but a real friend will be best.

 

[1DuckMore]

Also, I hadn’t seen your post about photos to identify the others as alive or not. I’ll do that tonight and really appreciate the help! In an ideal world I’d have one more, but I’m thrilled to have a second (and a first!) this Holiday Season!

 

[1DuckMore]

Here’s photos of the eggs Kathi. I’ve also posted them in a new thread in the Hatching Eggs Forum.

 

[1DuckMore]

Look how quickly they took to one another!But my, what a difference a week makes in size.

I have posted a thread in the Duck Forum asking for thoughts on who the daddy’s might be!