Bantam hen as mother duck?

[Buxton Ducks]

I have a flock of 16 ducks and they live with 4 bantam hens, 2 bantam roosters, and 1 very confused pigeon. I wanted to hatch a few duck eggs this year and decided to let my sebright/silkie cross (Cleo) set on a couple. They piped their shells tonight and I was wondering if they will be ok with her as mom in this big flock of ducks? The ducks are all mallard types with only one muscovy/rouen cross.

 

[chicknmania]

I have read lots of stories about that. With ducks mothering chicks, too. Works ok til it comes time for the ducklings to swim, or the mother duck trying to get the chicks to swim... I think it would be fine with the banty as mom; by the time the ducklings get to swim time, they might be big enough to follow the other ducks around, but I don't know really. Just bumping this up for you. Cute. Good luck.

 

[Buxton Ducks]

They have both hatched! I just introduced some hatchery month olds to the flock today and everybody did well. Hopefully this will help ease in the two new arrivals when she decides to leave the nest. That would be really confusing for a mother duck to raise chicks wouldn't it? They would all drown following her!

 

[Buxton Ducks]

Here she is! The ducklings are very unique looking! I have Rouens, Swedish, Runners, Pekin, and a muscovy cross so who knows what they are.

 

[Buxton Ducks]

Mom rejected them

so I have two little fuzz balls in the brooder in my living room!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mom rejected them

so I have two little fuzz balls in the brooder in my living room!

Their adorable, and now you have them up close and personal to enjoy, Congrats!!