call ducks rejecting babies

[debydonut]

Hi, we have 3 calls, 2 females one boy. The girls laid their first eggs and have sat really well. The eggs have hatched over the last few days and they have rejected the babies, just leaving them out of the nest to die. We have managed to save some and have bought them inside into a heat box. Tried to introduce them today and the adults ran away from the babies. What do we do now, are they likely to accept them in a few more days? We have kept ducks for ages, but the mael in this batch attacks our dogs so cannot be let out of the pen. I actually came downstairs and he was in the lounge pecking one of the dogs :-( Really disheartened with them, and thinking of getting a couple of chickens instead, but hubby thinks they are harder work as a friend has them as has a rat problem :/ Any tips guys?

 

[Frank Phinster]

If your ducks have not accepted their offspring during hatching, they are quite unlikely to do later. You will have to raise them by yourself.

 

[debydonut]

Thanks Frank, maybe because its their first hatch? We now have 7 inside, lost 3,

 

[Going Quackers]

Sadly, some just don't. You will have to take over. I have dealt with it all here, i was fortunate that last year, the mama who was killing her hatch, i grabbed one while hatching and gave it to another broody, who in turn accepted the baby. so i dodged that bullet lol

This year, all heck broke loose with the last nest after the dog got into it, causing death and premature hatching, i have saved 4.. two are with mama, 2 with us!

It's a challenge especially when you had hoped a duck would take to the task but you can do it, you raised ducklings before?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711 if not that link will help.

Honestly, chickens won't be better it happens with them too. Not always is there an explanation, all walks of nature have mums who reject, sadly if you breed you have to be prepared to 'step up' .. best of luck!

 

[debydonut]

Yes we have raised ducklings last year. We had 6 eggs and got 3 babies, Sid our male is the only survivor, the second male was rehomed and the female died just before we got a second female for Sid. We then bought 2 adult females and all has been well, apart from Sid attacking the dogs. We planned on rehoming him after the babies arrived. His wings were clipped but somehow he can still fly over the fence and has escaped a few times! I would love to have 2 female ducks and 2 female chickens, not bothered at all about breeding. We have a nice secure pen, with pond (paddling pool lol) outisde of the pen. The lady we got the females from said they would live together quite happily, but hubby reckons chickens will be harder work :-(

 

[Going Quackers]

I have chickens, i like chickens some aspects are easier but like with anything, depends, there are good chickens and not so good ones. I'm sorry your call experience hasn't been good, mine are one heck of a comical pair lol...

Dogs and ducks don't always get alone, he may feel threatened by them. My scovies aren't in love with the dogs but generally ignore them, mind you a few of the ducks will peck the dog if she feels they have invaded her space.

Maybe you'll get some more females from remains of this clutch?

 

[debydonut]

Our first ducks were great with the dog we had then, they were great fun to watch in the garden, but sadly the fox got in :-( This lot have been completely different, Sid is very aggressive, mainly since the girls started laying.