Domestic duck hatched ducklings…do I raise or let mama handle it ??

[HaileyA]

My buff Orpington lady nested and hatched at least 6 ducklings(maybe more). Do I let her raise them?? My buffs free range on my 6 acres (and the neighbors) and our ponds. They quit coming in (to their coop)end of last year. They stay in pond and won’t come in. So they are on their own at night and have survived. I provide food and they have access to coop, but rarely use.
I want mama to raise them but afraid of the ducklings survival.
Should I let them be?? Try to get them back in coop? Or will she attack me. Her best is in my front yard.
Any advice is appreciated!!! Thank you !!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have chickens, not ducks, but common sense tells me a mama duck knows more about raising ducklings than you or I ever will. If she's got them out on a pond I can only imagine the rodeo that would ensue if you tried to get them away from her. I suppose you could try ... but let's ask a duck expert.
@Miss Lydia ? What's your advice here?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

PS - I don't know about her attacking you, I was thinking more along the lines of, the ducklings are bonded to her and aren't going to want to have anything to do with you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's risky letting them just wander around especially at night on the pond above predators and under water preds[snapping turtles] But @BigBlueHen53 is right mama will do her best she still could lose a few or all so really up to you if you want to try and protect her and them, I'd def let her raisie them if at all possible and if you want to try and help just get them to the coop and run and close them in until the ducklings are 4 weeks old. They will have a better chance of survival.
And Yes mama may attack you but it won't be bad. A few bruises.

 

[HaileyA]

I have chickens, not ducks, but common sense tells me a mama duck knows more about raising ducklings than you or I ever will. If she's got them out on a pond I can only imagine the rodeo that would ensue if you tried to get them away from her. I suppose you could try ... but let's ask a duck expert.
@Miss Lydia ? What's your advice here?

Thank you for your advice ! Mama duck is doing great, within 24 hours she led them to the pond and def won’t let me near those babes!! lol. She also has been taking them into the coop at night! I’m pretty impressed with mama, it’s so fun watching them follower her around all day . There is def still daytime predators to worry about, but feeling better that they are locked up at night.
At what point do they detach from their mother ?( if at all) I have a friends with a pond looking for a couple ducks, but I don’t want to upset mama or the ducklings now. Was going to wait til I can tell what gender they are and go from there. Thanks!!
Hailey A

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Again, these are questions for @Miss Lydia, but I'm sure glad to hear Mama Duck is doing right by her babies! Pics are always welcome here, y'know, especially of babies!

 

[HaileyA]

Again, these are questions for @Miss Lydia, but I'm sure glad to hear Mama Duck is doing right by her babies! Pics are always welcome here, y'know, especially of babies!

Mama and her babes

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Awwwww!
Honestly, there's not much in this world cuter than bibi ducks!
Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can only go by my Muscovy some have given up on caring for their ducklings around 3-4 weeks. And by then the ducklings have integrated into the flock. I have one Muscovy female who took over her sisters ducklings when she gave up and kept them with her until they were 6 weeks old. Only problem letting them go over to another pond is they won't have a mama to defend them. Although she really can't do alot if a predator really wanted them. I don't think at the size they are now I would let them go to someone who is going to put them out on a pond. I really don't think they would last long. They are just babes. Those ducklings are so adorable.
But in the end always up to you!