I have a sweet pair of young domestic bred mallard ducks that I rehabilitated after being horribly neglected. She has laid her first clutch of eggs which I candled a week ago and saw a moving embryo! So exciting! She has sat diligently on the for 3 weeks so far.
I think they should hopefully hatch at the end of this week and I wondered if I must move the drake. He was always non-aggressive to me (but afraid) until his wife laid eggs. Now he runs at me hissing, although I just wave a little stick in front of him as I replace their feed etc.
I've heard drakes can trample ducklings. We could move him into our chicken run for a few weeks- but this means our 9 chickens will be confined to the enclosed coop and the area underneath ( about 6 x 4 feet). They will survive but won't be happy.
1. Do I need to move the drake?
2. Do I need to provide any special food for the ducklings? (I read chopped boiled eggs)
This is all very new to me. Any advice would be appreciated.
I think they should hopefully hatch at the end of this week and I wondered if I must move the drake. He was always non-aggressive to me (but afraid) until his wife laid eggs. Now he runs at me hissing, although I just wave a little stick in front of him as I replace their feed etc.
I've heard drakes can trample ducklings. We could move him into our chicken run for a few weeks- but this means our 9 chickens will be confined to the enclosed coop and the area underneath ( about 6 x 4 feet). They will survive but won't be happy.
1. Do I need to move the drake?
2. Do I need to provide any special food for the ducklings? (I read chopped boiled eggs)
This is all very new to me. Any advice would be appreciated.
.....Duckling starter is all they need or Chick starter..Unmedicated.....Water dish low enough to drink from....I always wet my starter to a soupy mix the first week or so..
