Duck & Chix Eggs under Broody Hen - Advice Please

[thegreypony]

I posted this in the duck forum but maybe it should be here, too....might get a quicker answer... ????????

We got some fertile eggs from a friend for our broody Buff Orp to hatch out. He put two duck eggs in the carton...now we have 10 chicken eggs and 2 Apple..something or another duck eggs under this hen. Eggs have been under her for 7 days and she's being a very protective mom.

What do I need to do when these chicks hatch on day 21? Someone suggested taking all the chicks out and maybe the hen would sit out another 7 days on the 2 duck eggs. I'd rather pull the duck eggs on day 21 and put them in an incubator if possible. Your thoughts on this please. Anyone ever done this before. We aren't keeping any of these babies but I'd hate to sacrifice these two ducks on day 21. TIA for your help and advice!!

 

[gobblecluck]

i dont know if this is any help but we have some banties that went broody and we have been snatching the chicks everyday and putting new eggs under them. kinda just using them as incubators until we get an actual incubator but they seem content to just stay broody. some of them have been sitting on eggs for 2 months. we just put some guinea eggs under a couple and they are developing okay. let you know how it turns out.

 

[dbcooper02]

If it would more convenient to let the hen brood the chicks and if you have an incubator available to finish the duck eggs I would go that route.