Broody Chicken Hatching Duck Eggs

[lindsay297]

I have a Broody hen and am wondering if she can hatch out ducklings. I already have 2 batches of chicks that my other broodies have hatched and my kids really want ducks. Any special considerations for hatching different species, or same as usual?? Anyone who has done this before and can give me advice would be great.

 

[kellysmall87]

I have heard of this before and it is possible as far as I know. The only problems arise when the ducks want to go on the water, and the chicken cant show it how to swim or what to do. I dont know how true that is, but thats what I heard. Hope it helps.

 

[Moonkit]

It can be done.. a poster on here had a silkie that managed to hatch a few goose eggs. Apparently things got really funny when the goslings were 2 weeks old and were bigger that she was. At night they'd sleep in a pile with the silkie stretched out on top, still gamely trying to keep them warm. Then they discovered water and the poster had to rescue the hen after she leapt into the water to 'save' her goslings.. gradually the hen relaxed and was content to follow along the shore as the goslings swam.