BROODY DUCK

[kaythlin]

Hi i have this broody duck its a blue swedish duck shes young and its one of the first times she actually has committed to sitting on her eggs for more that 2 days shes been sitting on them for more than a week at leasttt... and i have a couple of questions

1 will she ever leave her eggs or abandon them if someone scares her or grabs the eggs

2 will i have to take the ducklings and care for them myself when they hatch (HARSH WINDS IN MY AREA SO THATS WHY)

3 will roosters and hens try to hurt the ducklings once they hatch

4 is it better to let the mom incubate the eggs or in a incubator (besides the fact that she will stop laying) WILL THE HATCH RATE VARRY?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Where is she brooding? if inside her safe secure house she may stay full time, ducks can be fickle you just never know about them but the ones that do commit can be awesome mothers.

She should have no trouble caring for her own ducklings I'd make a safe place for her and the babes though so the high winds and harsh weather isn't a problems until they are at least 2-3 weeks old.

Much better for mom to incubate. They have been doing this a lot longer than us mere humans. Now first times moms can get pretty freaked out when ducklings begin hatching so watch for signs, she may go through it with flying colors or she may try and injure them. But I am sure you'll be there to make sure it all goes smoothly just always be ready with plan B just in case.

How many eggs is she on? that can make a difference in hatch rate, if too many she may not be able to cover them all.

All you'll need to do hopefully is sit back provide feed and water and enjoy the awesome experience of watching mama duck and her ducklings.

 

[casportpony]

 

[kaythlin]

Where is she brooding? if inside her safe secure house she may stay full time, ducks can be fickle you just never know about them but the ones that do commit can be awesome mothers.

She should have no trouble caring for her own ducklings I'd make a safe place for her and the babes though so the high winds and harsh weather isn't a problems until they are at least 2-3 weeks old.

Much better for mom to incubate. They have been doing this a lot longer than us mere humans. Now first times moms can get pretty freaked out when ducklings begin hatching so watch for signs, she may go through it with flying colors or she may try and injure them. But I am sure you'll be there to make sure it all goes smoothly just always be ready with plan B just in case.

How many eggs is she on? that can make a difference in hatch rate, if too many she may not be able to cover them all.

All you'll need to do hopefully is sit back provide feed and water and enjoy the awesome experience of watching mama duck and her ducklings.

this is an amazing answer but unfortunately yesterday i woke up to the mother duck eating one of her babies basically she couldn't be quiet and was very noisy and i went outside and she led me to her egg and it had a huge hole in it with blood i picked it up and spilled it and to find a fully formed baby duck the mom was just pecking at it it pretty sure the roosters chased her out and ate the egg and one of the other eggs just completely diapered i had 6 left i took them in the house and candled them there 3 had ducks and the others didnt.
I know it sounds mean but i have a question, for the next month or so starting about when the ducks will hatch i will be extremly busy and i cant care for them, i fenced in a area with a pond for my ducks and small chickens when they have a crack in them should i give them back to the duck? or when they are hatched?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you wait till they hatch she most likely won't take them back. Is she still sitting on a nest? if you have her protected now I'd give them back to her.