Broody Duck

[CSDeVault]

Hello,

I have a broody duck. Can I place both duck eggs and chicken eggs under her? I assume that because a chicken is 21 days to hatch and a duck is ~ 28 days, I would need to remove the chickens and use a brooder while mama duck sits another week? I assume the chickens hatching won’t snap her broodiness while she knows others are coming? Thank you.

 

[Mallards and Quail]

That is an interesting question. I have had it happen both ways before, where she loses her broodiness and where she stays broody. I haven't tried it in a very long time so I'll try and tag someone who may be able to better help.
@HollowOfWisps

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I personally would not. The chickens hatching could cause her to stop sitting and see the other eggs as duds. Ducks are not biologically meant to hatch multiple broods in the same clutch and the hatching most likely will signal her to stop sitting after a day or two when the other eggs do not hatch. You would also have to be right there when they hatch because it’s not uncommon for a broody duck who has hatched chicks to lead them straight to the water not knowing they can’t swim.