Duckling killed by Mom

[JamieCiara]

I just had a baby ducklings hatch and as soon as it hatched the mother violently killed it why?

 

[JamieCiara]

She previously hatched 4 Successful ducklings and did nothing to them a few hours previously

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi @JamieCiara welcome to BYC, and I’m sorry for your loss.

here are some threads from others who experienced the same:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mother-duck-killing-her-ducklings.815104/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mother-duck-attacking-newly-hatched-ducklings.777149/

sounds to me that you probably do best by taking the surviving ducklings from mom and raise them by yourself. Others might have a different suggestion though

 

[sylviethecochin]

What breed? (I'm looking to affirm my bias against mallards—mine were mostly psycho.)

Sometimes, it is a fluke, but do you really want to find out?

I would take them from Mum, myself. Wait until you can herd her away from them, because I once had a duck who would snap the neck of any duckling I touched. Ducklings are messy in a brooder, but not hard to brood almost entirely outside if you have decent weather.

 

[JamieCiara]

The ducks are Khaki Campbell

4 ducklings hatched before the one she killed, she’s not doing anything to the other ducklings that have hatched she’s being very protective of them and guarding them, 4 eggs are left I don’t know if they will hatch or not

 

[JamieCiara]

Thank you

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Khaki campbell are generally not good moms according to this video.

 

[JamieCiara]

Thank u

I still dont understand why she did it
I guess it’s not to understand
The gentleman’s video was informative
But I have had 1 female Kahki hatch 8 ducklings naturally and never did anything like this

this hen has hatched 4 ducklings and is guarding them With her life, although it is her first time

maybe this particular duckling there something wrong with it and she sensed it ?

my other hen that hatched the 8 ducklings was a true mother

thank you for your help and input

 

[Isaac 0]

What breed? (I'm looking to affirm my bias against mallards—mine were mostly psycho.)

Sometimes, it is a fluke, but do you really want to find out?

I would take them from Mum, myself. Wait until you can herd her away from them, because I once had a duck who would snap the neck of any duckling I touched. Ducklings are messy in a brooder, but not hard to brood almost entirely outside if you have decent weather.

We both have the same experience. lol