Broody hen

[kitten4686]

 

[kitten4686]

We had 8 baby chicks hatch...the rest i gave to my broody duck.... few days before hatch due date i cleaned out momma ducks nest because I realized other chickens and ducks had been laying in and around her nest.....she started with 13 I added 6 duck eggs and 1 chicken egg that should have given her a total of 20 eggs but when I cleand out her nest she had 33 eggs under her so i candled them and found that only about 22 were good.... i thought only 6 hatched one died next day...... Now here's my problem i still have some good eggs and momma duck quit sitting so going to try incubator they should hatch in 1-3 days..... does anyone think that after they hatch momma duck or chicken will take care of them.... so far momma duck and momma chicken and the rest of the mix all get along great and my one roster watches over all babies not just the chicks

 

[kitten4686]

 

[SIMZ]

I have no experience with ducks, but I have had that work with chickens. The age difference makes it tough and not all chickens will accept new chicks. It's not something I'd try with more than 5-7 days difference in the chicks, either.

When I try it, I like to make sure the new chicks are steady on their feet, because that hen is going to be on the go with her older chicks. I also slip the chick under the hen when she's back on her nest at dusk or dark. Then I check a few times to make sure things are going well. Be aware that if they don't go well the hen will kill the chicks in no time at all.

Congratulations on your hatch & good luck!

 

[Aringr]

I had a broody hen once. It is fun watching them