Broody duck dead duckling

[nchls school]

Well Update from the duck.....I had four yesterday night when I went to bed, this morning 3 eggs and another dead duckling  
This was after I separated mom from the others. She was very upset, but I decided to take the eggs. 
One is very ready, I can see the duck egg is black inside. 

Any suggestions now on how to hatch duck eggs that are almost ready? I have a bantam I thought about. I have no incubator. 


Thanks again!

It is possible that the hen is throwing out new ducklings as they hatch. Not all hens are good mothers. Another thought-could this be a case of predation. In the past I have had rats take new chicks right from under the hen. Does this always happen at night? Broody chickens make excellent foster mothers for ducks; I recommend silkies.

 

[Iowachick26]

I am pretty sure she is throwing them out. This one was in the nest, no blood. She was sitting on the 3 eggs and the dead duckling as well. I guess some ducks just aren't good mothers the first year.

I don't have a silkie, (that should be next on the list) but I have a golden seabright bantam who I think is up to the task. I moved her into our mudroom in a cage with the 3 duck eggs and she is sitting on them.

I hate to have another dead duckling on my hands, All advice welcome! Maybe I should just go get an incubator.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am pretty sure she is throwing them out. This one was in the nest, no blood. She was sitting on the 3 eggs and the dead duckling as well. I guess some ducks just aren't good mothers the first year.

I don't have a silkie, (that should be next on the list) but I have a golden seabright bantam who I think is up to the task. I moved her into our mudroom in a cage with the 3 duck eggs and she is sitting on them.

I hate to have another dead duckling on my hands, All advice welcome! Maybe I should just go get an incubator.

Oh good I missed this post. Hopefully the others will hatch now and be safe.

 

[nchls school]

Oh good I missed this post. Hopefully the others will hatch now and be safe.

I hope so too. At least now you know which duck is to blame. I wish I had told you to leave the second brooding duck. Dang.