Advice on dealing with duckling born via incubator 5-6 days after other ducklings hatched by momma duck on nest

[Labrooks999]

Last year by husband and I found eggs in our yard which we were able to incubate and raise successfully and have 2 great pets -- a male and female mallards (she may be a rouen because she is HUGE!). In any case she laid 23 eggs this year and 8 of them hatched without any intervention by us and outside of us providing food and water the momma duck is raising them. They range from 5-6 days old. There were some eggs she could no longer incubate as she had 8 little ones ready to run around that very much needed her so we decided to incubate a few of them. One hatched last night and he just wrapped up his drying out period and seems very happy and healthy. I am not totally comfortable just releasing him to the momma because there 8 others technically a bit further along in their development so I worry if it will not be safe conditions. I also read that momma ducks do not take well to other baby ducks that aren't their own---of course it is hers but she has had almost 6 days with her current flock and ducks seem pretty smart so not sure if this duck will be a stranger to her. We don't mind hand raising him for a while until he grows just a bit more but was worried what the repercussions of that choice might be. 1) if he imprints on us and isn't introduced to mom and siblings for a few days will he be scared and unable to adapt? 2) we can spend a lot of time with him but technically he has no other siblings right now to hang out with. Is it cruel to leave him solo in his box from time to time with no companionship? I would love some advice. We absolutely loved raising our 2 ducks last year but they always had each other as company at all times and its looking like this one may be the only additional one to hatch.

Here is a pic of momma with the 8 ducklings

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a sweet picture. You could try introducing this duckling to mama and sibs but it probably won’t work. But if you try at least you’ll know. Just make sure your little one would be strong enough to keep up with this group if they were to accept it.

 

[Labrooks999]

What a sweet picture. You could try introducing this duckling to mama and sibs but it probably won’t work. But if you try at least you’ll know. Just make sure your little one would be strong enough to keep up with this group if the were to accept it.

I don't think he is strong enough yet given he is just 1 day post hatch. So in the meantime is the poor little guy miserable not having a duck family?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Give him a mirror and a stuffed animal to cuddle. The mirror will keep him company but you going to be it’s mama! ❤