Can my duck raise ducklings?

[Jpat]

Thanks! Yes, I think we are going to plan to let the mamas try raising them, but have a brooder ready in the event we notice them going down hill. As of last night we counted 12 little ones! Mamas seem like they know what they are doing, I just hope they are helping them eat. Hubby and I decided (as bad as it sounds...) the first deceased one we find, we are catching all to raise on our own. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen!!!

Iam going to die from cuteness

 

[Red White & Belews]

2 more hatched today! I think they hatched recently...they are still a little damp and aren’t moving much. I picked them up because at first I thought they were dead. Does it normally take a while for them to get up and moving? They seem to have a hard time holding their heads up.

 

[CayugaJana]

Yes that’s absolutely normal. Hatching is exhausting stuff!! They get super cute when they dry and fluff up!

 

[Red White & Belews]

Yes that’s absolutely normal. Hatching is exhausting stuff!! They get super cute when they dry and fluff up!

Whew!!! I was so worried for them! Thanks so much!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How are they all doing this morning?

 

[Red White & Belews]

Oops! Forgot to reply last week! Our duckling hatch count is now up to 16! We did have a friend that wanted some, so we rehomed 4. The day after rehoming, 2 more hatched from the nest that was no longer being sat on...we were really surprised!! They are 1 week younger than the other ducklings...and man have those ducklings grown over the last week!! The mama ducks stopped being super protective of them. We have a fenced off area for the ducklings/mama ducks, but the mamas keep flying out leaving the ducklings in there alone. They seem to be doing fine though. We have starter/grower out for them as well as fresh water. We still have 1 more duck nesting eggs... we sure will have our hands full once those hatch!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Man that is awesome and so glad it's you not me. lol I do love my birds but 40 are enough. lol