We are Call Duck Grandparents! Our Gray Call just hatched 12 eggs and they all seem to be fine at the moment. The duck and ducklings are in a "Duck Tractor" on the bank of our farm pond. It is very secure. The problem is, the Duck Momma is freaking out inside and the Drake Daddy is freaking out outside! In the cross fire are the ducklings that are chasing momma back and forth in the pen and getting trampled in the process! After dark they all settled down and momma collected her babies and is keeping them warm, but should I consider taking them from her and raising them in a brooder? It would be a whole lot easiers if I could leave them with her in the tractor, but I don't want to risk having the babies beat up because the duck wants out so bad.
The tractor is inside an aviary that includes a section of the pond for water access. I don't think it would be wise, maybe I'm wrong, to let the duck and babies out with the Drakes and pond access inside the aviary. I've read that the Drakes can harm the babies and the whole "When to introduce your ducks to water" thing has me completely baffeled!
We are totally new to the Call Duck game, and are pretty amazed at the fact that we are having this much success right off the bat. Now, if we can just not screw it up! Any advice would be appreciated!