Australorp chicken hatched duck eggs!!!!

[beccaWA]

I went out to the coop this morning, and after setting on a clutch of duck eggs, mama hen did it! Three ducklings so far and she still has a few eggs under her. I am vacillating between letting the chicken raise the ducklings, or pulling them out of the coop and into a brooder. She seems to be a good mama, and am thinking of fencing off a little corner of the coop for them as I have 9 other chickens and 7 ducks (adults). Ideas? Thanks!

And by the way, they are darn cute! They are either purebred Khakis or Khaki/Cayuga crosses. I'm thinking a cross as they are really dark.

 

[sourland]

If it were me, I would allow her to raise the ducklings in a separate enclosure. It's so much easier if the mother/foster mother raises hatchlings.

 

[beccaWA]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking, too. Less work for me and it's fairly warm out now, so I think she can keep them toasty.

 

[pattyhen]

I agree with Sourland I would let her raise them. You have a built in babysitter and I think they will do fine. She must be really dedicated to the babies because they take longer then chicken eggs to hatch.

Patty

 

[sourland]

Expect her to go hysterical the first time 'her' ducklings go for a swim.

 

[beccaWA]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will let her raise them, but I do have to get in there and fix up a separation panel for them today. I was in there fixing up the chick waterer, showing them how to drink out of it, got them some non-medicated chick feed. Mama was quietly clucking while I was handling them, but didn't freak out.

I thought about the swimming thing too! She's probably going to think they're drowning!!!!!!! LOL

 

[cottontail farm]

Lol. I think I just responded to a post about this on a blog? I'm the girl trying to convince her poultry to brood something, anything. Congratulations on your little poultry family, your hen sounds like a keeper and a great mama!

 

[Majd]

Congratulations! Pics?

 

[beccaWA]

Thanks very much! No, I don't have a blog. Try putting some eggs in a pile in a nest box on the floor. Maybe that will encourage them!

 

[beccaWA]

My camera, unfortunately, is broken. But I'll try and see if my sister can come over and take some pics. Then I'll post them!!!