Can I give ducklings to a broody hen?

[AYoung90]

I have a broody hen who's eggs should hatch in about 5 days. I'm wondering if i can sneak a couple ducklings under her? We have been wanting ducks for eggs & I could order a couple ducklings to have them here just after chick hatching is done.

Have you done this? Should I NOT do this? Any advice? We've had ducks before. We raised them in the brooder with chicks, so I do know how to care for them, but is it okay to let mama hen do it?

 

[ruthhope]

I have a broody hen who's eggs should hatch in about 5 days. I'm wondering if i can sneak a couple ducklings under her? We have been wanting ducks for eggs & I could order a couple ducklings to have them here just after chick hatching is done.

Have you done this? Should I NOT do this? Any advice? We've had ducks before. We raised them in the brooder with chicks, so I do know how to care for them, but is it okay to let mama hen do it?

Welcome to BYC @AYoung90

I think it is not a good idea to mix newly hatched ducklings with chicks. The ducklings grow far faster than chicks and as a result need duckling specific food -- with higher niacin content than chick starter crumbles. Plus the larger ducklings can trample and injur the smaller chicks.

It's also a bad idea to mix small ducklings with older chicks, as chicks have a nasty habit of pecking at ducklings' eyes

I'm not saying it's not possible to mix them, and there are folks who have successfully mixed ducklings and chicks, but I would not do it

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would not mix. I've had a hen raise ducklings before, but she only had ducklings and could have her care altered to help her with them. If there are both types, odds are she will think something is wrong with one group and not care for them