Can you raise a single duckling on its own?

[Nika B]

Hi!
I have three hens and a large coop with a big run and an area for a pond that I could put in. However, I can't have more than four birds, so I need something I can raise on its own. I am just wondering if you have to raise a duckling with another duckling or a mama or can I be its mama? Also if so are there specific breeds that work better than others?

 

[Isaac 0]

I had a hen hatch only one duckling before, it did fine, but its probably not preferred.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Ducks are quite social and it's best to at least have a pair. With the other birds s/he will be okay but you'll need to spend a lot of time with her/him

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Hi!
I have three hens and a large coop with a big run and an area for a pond that I could put in. However, I can't have more than four birds, so I need something I can raise on its own. I am just wondering if you have to raise a duckling with another duckling or a mama or can I be its mama? Also if so are there specific breeds that work better than others?

You will need at least one more duck when it grows up.

 

[Isaac 0]

The OP has ducks, the question is will the duckling be fine with just its mother, or does it need another duckling its size.

 

[Nika B]

Got it.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

The OP has ducks, the question is will the duckling be fine with just its mother, or does it need another duckling its size.

Oh, ok. If one goes broody you can probably put a duckling under her.

 

[NatJ]

I have three hens and a large coop with a big run and an area for a pond that I could put in. However, I can't have more than four birds, so I need something I can raise on its own. I am just wondering if you have to raise a duckling with another duckling or a mama or can I be its mama? Also if so are there specific breeds that work better than others?

Are you saying you have 3 female ducks and want one more?
Or do you have 3 female chickens and want one duck?

If you can only have 4 birds, it will be best if they are the same species (all chickens, or all ducks.)

Baby ducks want to be with their mama all the time--so being the mama for a baby duck will probably not work well for you. People just don't like to live in the duck pen all day and all night for months or years

If you need to raise just one baby, putting it in a small pen inside the main pen, or next to it, could let it be "with" the adult birds for company, but where they cannot accidentally squish it or deliberately hurt it.

If one of the current females goes broody, and if you can then persuade her to adopt a baby, that will be the nicest way to do it. Baby would not be lonely, and mama would protect it. But that only works if you have one that's willing to raise a baby.

 

[Nika B]

Ok, thank you all. I have three female chickens, no ducks, and room for one more bird. I'm thinking chicken adoption by a mother hen that goes broody probably will work the best, however, none have ever gone broody. I just posted to raising chicks, I hope to get some more info soon,

 

[TheOddOneOut]

The OP has ducks, the question is will the duckling be fine with just its mother, or does it need another duckling its size.

Actually, I think when the OP said 'hens' they meant chickens.