Chickens hatching duck eggs. Is this trouble?

One time I had a bantam hen hatch out duck eggs and they all did fine together. And once I had to keep a single duckling together with some chicks because there was no one else to keep it company, and again, they all did fine together. If you want your hen to hatch both chicken & duck eggs at the same time you'll have to first put the duck eggs under her & on day 8 add the chicken eggs. Then get your camera ready because there should be some lovely photo opportunities once they all hatch.

 

buddy's dad had a duck that stole chicken eggs to hatch and even hatched some turkey eggs

no issues

 

I had a mallard hatch ducklings, chicks, and a couple poults. Anything is possible

 

This reminds me of an article I read on broody hens. It said the best broodies would willingly hatch duck eggs and then have anxiety attacks when their newly hatched youngins headed for the first mud puddle they could find.

 

They're called duckens or chucks.

 

Well I did have issues. First I have to say that its harder to incubate duck eggs than chicken eggs, so a bantam is the better choice and she should have almost a 100% success rate. And it is cute to see them going around the yard, but its upsetting if the rest of the flock opposes the union. I have witnessed full grown ducks attacking the ducklings being raised by a hen. Also the chickens didn't care for it either. I would still use a broody for duck eggs, but I would make sure I kept my past experiences in mind and put her in solitude for the duration of the brood and several weeks afterwards, for the safety of the babies.

 

My grandmother used broody hens to hatch duck eggs all the time. Worked out fine until the ducklings went for a swim. The poor old broodies just about had hysterics.

 

I don't have a lot of experience with things and learn something new every day...over the summer I had a standard Black Cochin broody hatch three goslings for me...at the moment I have two broody Buff Catalanas on nine duck eggs due to hatch next week...they are working hard and I hope we get something out of the deal...fingers crossed...

 

Quote:Y'all are giving me ideas. I want ducks, but don't want the hassle of raising them until they are of an age to help take care of themselves. If I ever get a broody, probably not in this lifetime, but IF I ever do, I think I'll switch out her own eggs for duck eggs. Let the broody do the work.