Can I put incubated eggs under a broody duck?

[Vonchmessica]

So my mum gave me some duck eggs to incubate, which are around 16 days into their incubation now. A week later one of the ducks went broody and is now sitting on a pile of chicken eggs confusing I know they should separate them! But this duck is known to be a bit unreliable and she’s never actually hatched anything. My hope is (provided she stays broody, and she seems pretty dedicated atm) is to either put the freshly fluffed ducklings under her, or put the eggs under her a day or so before they are due to hatch. I do have a brooder with a heat lamp, but I’d rather the ducklings be raised by a mother duck, more natural and less work. What do you think are my chances of pulling this off? Whats the less risky option?

Also, can you move a duck sitting on eggs without ruining her broodyness? The chickens keep laying more eggs under her‍

I know duck eggs take a bit longer than chicken eggs, but I think the duck eggs will still hatch first because they had at least a week head start.

Thanks so much for reading this. You all are so awesome

 

[happy duck]

I would keep the eggs in the incubator. I have never heard moving and it might mess up the heat. If you want your duck to hatch out some chickens then you can keep them there. If you move the eggs she will realizes the eggs are gone then she should not be broody anymore. I am not very informative in the broody and incubation tag so whatever I told you is the best I can help...other people will come on soon with better info then mine!

 

[Vonchmessica]

I would keep the eggs in the incubator. I have never heard moving and it might mess up the heat. If you want your duck to hatch out some chickens then you can keep them there. If you move the eggs she will realizes the eggs are gone then she should not be broody anymore. I am not very informative in the broody and incubation tag so whatever I told you is the best I can help...other people will come on soon with better info then mine!

Thanks. I know my sister always moves broody chickens into a separate pen. Otherwise the other chickens just keep laying on her egg pile, and you end up with no eggs!

 

[chickens really]

I moved Younger Duck eggs into my incubator and my incubator eggs under my Duck. She hatched them all successfully even though they came sooner. Never lost nothing. Definitely try it. An egg is an egg to her.

 

[happy duck]

Tell us how it works out and if all goes well then you should make an article.

 

[igorsMistress]

I moved incubated eggs to my broody chicken at lockdown and it worked great! I didn't have to deal with anything because she took care of it all.

Yes please let us know how it goes, good luck!