Duck sitting on hen eggs......

[The Vickster]

We have had chickens and ducks for 20 years, and this has never happened to us.

My mums duck, Meg, is sitting on hen eggs. She has been on them for 2 weeks now. In the past she has laid in unsuitable places, and been disturbed on the nest, unfortunately the eggs (if fertile) have not survived.

Does anyone have any advice or experience? Has the duck killed the chicks? Have they raised them successfully? Is it an instinct thing, where she has seen the eggs and just decided to sit on them?

We have raised chicks before, so that's not a new concept to us, but would desperately like some advice.

 

[sourland]

My experience with duck hens setting chicken eggs has been mixed. Sometimes as the eggs pip if the duck is disturbed she can crush the eggs with her webbed feet. Once the eggs hatch remove all swimming water. Duck hens swim, get wet and then inadvertently soak and chill the chicks. I would be tempted to remove and brooder raise any chicks that hatch. Good luck.

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! If they hatch, I hope you post pics of mama w the babies !

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Some ducks can sit on chicken eggs and hatch them but don’t let the duck raise them. My neighbor let her duck raise chicks and the duckie accidentally drowned them. Chickens can’t float or swim and the ducks will make them swim, and will drown the chicks

 

[The Vickster]

Welcome to BYC! If they hatch, I hope you post pics of mama w the babies !

Haha, I will try!

 

[The Vickster]

Some ducks can sit on chicken eggs and hatch them but don’t let the duck raise them. My neighbor let her duck raise chicks and the duckie accidentally drowned them. Chickens can’t float or swim and the ducks will make them swim, and will drown the chicks

, that is sad. Will definitely avoid that!

 

[The Vickster]

My experience with duck hens setting chicken eggs has been mixed. Sometimes as the eggs pip if the duck is disturbed she can crush the eggs with her webbed feet. Once the eggs hatch remove all swimming water. Duck hens swim, get wet and then inadvertently soak and chill the chicks. I would be tempted to remove and brooder raise any chicks that hatch. Good luck.

Thank you very much . Fingers crossed its easy!

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I personally would go the bator way or see if a mama chicken could do it.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Thank you very much . Fingers crossed its easy!

Is she on any actual duck eggs by any chance ?

 

[The Vickster]

Is she on any actual duck eggs by any chance ?

She has been before, but not now. My mum managed to get a look, and they are all hen eggs.