dead duckling

[chess0125]

The eggs are under momma duck, daddy is in the same Pen. roughly 15/20 eggs. One hatched yesterday. Today it's laying in the pen dead but it was fine this morning, about three hours ago. Momma is laying on the other eggs which are starting to pip. What happened to the duckling? I want to prevent future deaths. Anything I can do?

 

[Orca5094]

I would definitely separate dad from the ducklings for now. Drakes have been known to kill ducklings, so that might be what happened.

Also, ducklings do sometimes just die without warning due to underlying issues we can't see, so the only way to know for sure would be a necropsy.

 

[Mrs.H]

I agree with Orca5094! I separated my drakes before my broodys eggs started to hatch. I've heard they could kill them plus I didn't want my clumsy pekin drakes stepping on them. I used just a short fence so everyone could still interact safely. Sorry it died, good luck with the rest.

 

[chess0125]

I'm sad it died but at least I caught the other babies. Three new babies, separated from the drake, so I'm sure they'll be healthy and strong. Thanks for the help!

 

[Alpops]

Hi - I have had the same situation today with my ducks :-( I have separated off the drake and am hoping the 3 remaining eggs will hatch over the next few days....assuming they do, does anyone have any recommendations as to how long to wait before letting the drake back in with his 'family'?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi - I have had the same situation today with my ducks :-( I have separated off the drake and am hoping the 3 remaining eggs will hatch over the next few days....assuming they do, does anyone have any recommendations as to how long to wait before letting the drake back in with his 'family'?

Keep them side by side with temp fencing where he can see but not touch and once ducklings get same size as the duck begin to introduce where they can all be together, it's nothing that happens over night but they will eventually become one flock. Tossing treats out when introducing once ducklings are large enough may help with intro too.