Broody Indian Runner

[jessicax3]

HELLO! I am new to this site, in hopes of getting some knowledge on my backyard flock.... Soni have a broody Indian Runner duck that has been laying on twoduck eggs and 5 chicken eggs, the chicken eggs aren't fertile so today I took them out and placed 5 duck eggs in the nest that are fertile. Some of the eggs are pekin and some are runners and she's back on the nest! I am worried about the time of year and the temp outside, will the babies be ok if they hatch or should I take them inside? How long can the eggs be unattended by the mom? Any other advice is welcome!!

 

[trailrider330]

So you just added 5 duck eggs to the other 2 duck eggs that have been there previously? How many days were the 2 duck eggs under your duck before you added 5 more? I am not sure where you are located, but normally it should not be a problem to hatch ducklings this time of year as long as you have a decent mother on your hands as she is well equipped to keep them warm. However, since what you are talking about sounds like a staggered hatch (ducklings that are due at different times) you could run into more troubles because your duck will either have to stop laying on the 5 eggs to take care of the 2 that are hatching earlier, or not be able to fully attend to the 2 ducklings so she can finish sitting on the other 5 until they hatch.

When you say "take them inside" who are you referring to? Mama and babies? All the babies? Just the younger babies? If you are set on still having her try to hatch all 7 eggs, then perhaps you could let her hatch the first 2 and move those ducklings to the house. Then let mama hatch the remaining ducklings and let them stay with her.

Those are my initial thoughts but maybe someone else has some other ideas to offer.

 

[drumstick diva]

Trailrider has a good plan, I think it would be in the best interest of the ducklings and mama & yet to be hatchlings.

 

[N F C]

I've just started learning about ducks but you can find out a lot on the duck forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

Good luck with the ducklings!

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!