Aggressive mother duck, possible duckling with a broken leg

[DeerPathZoo]

I allowed all 3 of my Cayuga hens to sit on their nest. The first bunched hatched 6/29-6/30. 9 out of 14 hatched. On 7/1 I found a dead duckling in the nest, I thought maybe it didn't hatch right or get under mama far enough for heat overnight. I had them fenced off because I didn't like the way Dickie the drake was trying to peck at them. There is a reason he has that name. I can watch them from my couch, I saw mama grabbing the ducklings and tossing them. It was almost like a dog with redirected aggression. She would get mad at me or Dickie for coming too close. It was like she was so mad she couldn't bite me or Dickie she would go after her babies. On 7/2 I found another one dead in the fence area. I know it had to happen that morning because I had made sure all the babies could get up the ramp in the house. I told my husband I wanted to bring them in. He said to wait because maybe those 2 were sick. Now this morning she attacked her babies again when I went out to feed the chickens. I wasn't even near her. So I threw her some mealtimes and she calmed down. About an hour later I could hear a baby peeping in distress, I found one on its back away from her, when I picked it up it was very cold. I brought it in the house and gave it to my husband to hold and warm up. And then I did battle with the mother and gathered the other babies to bring in. I honestly didn't think the injured one was going to live. It's eyes were closed and it barely held up its head. Now a couple of hours later it is much better, but it is limping pretty bad on its right leg.

Does anyone have bad mother ducks?

Does anyone have experience with a broken leg on a duckling? Advice?
I am not afraid to splint it.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

Wow. I have had a hen that scratches when she is upset, sometimes flinging a chick. However, this is a bit extreme. I would say that since she has already hurt one and possibly killed another she should not be allowed to raise them.

Second, it may not be her fault. Hens with chicks get stressed whenever they don't have a dark, quiet space of their own. The only thing that irks me is that she gets stressed by you. You are the feeder. You have to be there.

Third, hen-raised chicks are wilder than brooder chicks, especially with a worrisome momma. It's a lot of work, but you may want to consider taking them for yourself. They will be gentler later on.