Can I reunite a duckling with his mom and siblings?

[swampducks]

My muscovy duck hatched 9 little guys last monday and tuesday. a couple days late I found one on his back, cold and listless. I got him inside, revived him and now he's a little lonely dynamo. Can't see a thing wrong with him.

So my question is can I reunite him with his mom, 8 sibs and dad? They share the floor of the 6x8 foot coop with 5 in the rafters guineas. I've never had this situation occur before, i know with pekins, etc it would probably be impossible as those drakes try and kill ducklings, but daddy seems enamored of the little guys.

Want to do the right thing. Thanks

 

[Kevin565]

I personally think it would most likely not work. The mother would see it as a intruder and would probably kill it.

 

[jdywntr]

I reintroduced a runner duckling that was a late hatch at 3 days old when its siblings were 7 days old, it was peeping in my hands when I took it out and mom looked at me like why do you have my baby. He ran over to his older and MUCH larger siblings and all was well.

I would maybe take the duckling outside and see how mom is reacting to the peeps. If you could place it with the ducklings so that it isn't obvious that its coming towards mom but part of the group it may be okay. Maybe have someone else distract mom and dad with treats and then put baby with siblings.

I don't think ducks count so I can't see that mom would be like I only had __ now theres one more.

If you try, just stand by in case of a problem. With mine there was an obvious size difference, the older ones were 2X the size and the little one was fine.

 

[swampducks]

Thought you might like to know, I put the little duckling in with his siblings 2 days ago. Distracted mom by putting in straw and food and while her back was turned slipped him in with his siblings. Can't tell who is who any more.

 

[jdywntr]

Congratulations. I'm glad it worked out. Maybe if there were only 1 or 2 siblings they might realize it.

Oh and pics?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great work!!

Thought you might like to know, I put the little duckling in with his siblings 2 days ago. Distracted mom by putting in straw and food and while her back was turned slipped him in with his siblings. Can't tell who is who any more.