Broody momma- letting her raise ducklings...

[phoenix0326]

Hi all,
I have a Broody momma duck and we've decided to let her hatch/ raise her ducklings. (She's party of a flock of 7- including two drakes). Has anyone done this with their flock? Any advice? Should I separate her and the ducklings?

 

[3bird]

We're in the same boat, so we'll be following along. Here is our post:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-we-have-ducklings-on-the-farm.1390461/

Good luck!

 

[phoenix0326]

We're in the same boat, so we'll be following along. Here is our post:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-we-have-ducklings-on-the-farm.1390461/

Good luck!

Following! Thank you and good luck to you too!

 

[phoenix0326]

We're in the same boat, so we'll be following along. Here is our post:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-we-have-ducklings-on-the-farm.1390461/

Good luck!

Just read your thread. We are no where NEAR that prepared. We started with quail and chuckars this year so are rearranging the coop areas. It's a large area that's fenced with 8ft chain-link. (We are out in the middle of nowhere and get many large predators). My female isn't inside. She decided to nest outside between the now quail coop and the bee area fence. She's under a cover but still "loose" in the large fence area. There are two drakes in the area too that don't seem to bother her or even go near her right now. Should I plan on fencing her and the ducklings in so that they cannot come close? I've heard the drakes sometimes kill the ducklings...

 

[3bird]

Just read your thread. We are no where NEAR that prepared. We started with quail and chuckars this year so are rearranging the coop areas. It's a large area that's fenced with 8ft chain-link. (We are out in the middle of nowhere and get many large predators). My female isn't inside. She decided to nest outside between the now quail coop and the bee area fence. She's under a cover but still "loose" in the large fence area. There are two drakes in the area too that don't seem to bother her or even go near her right now. Should I plan on fencing her and the ducklings in so that they cannot come close? I've heard the drakes sometimes kill the ducklings...

This is our first time, so we are not experts, but we've heard from people that giving mom and ducklings some fenced-off area (if not an actual brooder) is a good idea for at least the first little bit. We've also heard that letting the other birds be able to see the ducklings and mom can help with integration. A handful of people have said that mom protected the ducklings from the drake(s), but more people recounted stories of drakes killing ducklings. That's, of course, just anecdotal, and I'm sure it depends somewhat on the set-up and the temperament of the mom and the drake. We're not going to risk it, especially since Martha (one of the two girls setting) is one of the ducks Angus (our drake) picks on the most.

 

[Newbie6789]

Joining in with you! My Pekin and Muscovy decided to co-parent....until Pekin got bored or determined to be the auntie . It is a mixed clutch (dad is Muscovy, mom is a pekin and a muscovy), therefore I am preparing a temporary incubator for the Muscovy eggs (6+ days later??). Ill take photos and post progression. Hatch day (I think) starts July 5-6. wish us luck

 

[3bird]

Joining in with you! My Pekin and Muscovy decided to co-parent....until Pekin got bored or determined to be the auntie . It is a mixed clutch (dad is Muscovy, mom is a pekin and a muscovy), therefore I am preparing a temporary incubator for the Muscovy eggs (6+ days later??). Ill take photos and post progression. Hatch day (I think) starts July 5-6. wish us luck

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Newbie6789]

update....Lady is "taking care of" eggs that apparently are not materializing into babies. We now have 12 eggs and I think the majority are Muscovy eggs - therefore timeframe is likely July 12ish

Thelma is now back to laying again. Whew - - I am happy as eggs are expensive lately! I got spoiled not needing to purchase them