Can I give my broody duck ducklings?

[chickens really]

I Have a small Appleyard Bantam Hen that adopted 2 week old Ducklings last year of different breeds..A Rouen, Alsbury and an Appleyard. She loved those Ducklings as if her own. She is an exception though.
Try it....

 

[lomine]

She isn't on the nest now? I must have misread because I thought she was still sitting after you took the eggs. A truly broody hen will still sit even if you take the eggs. I'm less convinced that she'll take them if she is off the nest. But I think you should still give it a try. If you are right there to scoop them up there is no harm in trying. I believe that chicks and ducklings raised along side the flock have a much easier time integrating.

 

[HeatherD42]

Soooo, how did it go?

 

[PirateGirl]

Well. That could have been better could have been worse. Basically potential mama ignored the babies and the babies ignored the mama. She was more worried about me and missing her mate. I closed the hatch and watched through the window and she calmed down considerably, but really had no interest in the littles. eventually after several minutes mama made for a quick peck at the babies (didn't get them)?so I picked her up and called it quits. I may try again in the next few days. I'm not worried about future integration now but I am skeptical that she will mother then and keep them warm.

 

[PirateGirl]

While I have your attention I have a quick feed question. Purina Flock Raiser already has sufficient niacin for ducklings correct? I'm pretty sure this is the case, but wanted to double check, I was second guessing myself. I also have some Nutridrench on hand if they seem overly stressed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think it was @casportpony that pointed out the difference in niacin content between Mazuri Waterfowl starter and Purina FR, 80 for Mazuri to 55 to PFR so to be on the safe side I'd sprinkle some Nutritional yeast over their feed. It can't hurt them full of really good Bvitamins. I have always given my new babies PND in their water for their first couple of weeks.

 

[CayugaJana]

While I have your attention I have a quick feed question. Purina Flock Raiser already has sufficient niacin for ducklings correct? I'm pretty sure this is the case, but wanted to double check, I was second guessing myself. I also have some Nutridrench on hand if they seem overly stressed.

That sounds like a great plan since you have it on hand already. Nutritional yeast would be a good idea also. Mix it all up in the food and forget about it.

 

[PirateGirl]

That sounds like a great plan since you have it on hand already. Nutritional yeast would be a good idea also. Mix it all up in the food and forget about it.

Thanks!

 

[WVduckchick]

If she didn't overly attack the babies, I would give it one more try. A peck on the head is usually just instructional. Obviously I don't want her to hurt them, and sometimes it is hard for us to watch. But aggression should be fairly obvious versus parenting. Might even try with the others around.
But if she was looking for her mate, her mothering possibilities may be over.

 

[PirateGirl]

If she didn't overly attack the babies, I would give it one more try. A peck on the head is usually just instructional. Obviously I don't want her to hurt them, and sometimes it is hard for us to watch. But aggression should be fairly obvious versus parenting. Might even try with the others around.
But if she was looking for her mate, her mothering possibilities may be over.

She definitely wasn't acting aggressive. Mostly indifferent. She was mostly upset that 1. I was close (which is hard because I know she will want to protect the nest, but I wanted to be able to intervene if needed) and 2. that I shut the duck house door and all the other ducks were outside (generally the door only gets shut with everyone inside after dark, so this was new for her)

I will try again.
I like to think I could try one of the other girls, but no one else has been acting crazy hormonal other than this one, so I doubt they would be interested at all.