Duckling Question

[redbugs13]

I came home today to 2 ducklings so far, the 3rd may or may not be hatching, I couldn't tell when I looked in. I have runners and this is the third time I have let one of the females sit on the eggs. The first 2 batches I took from the nest right away and put in a brooder. This time I was thinking about leaving them with the mother in the coop. Is this a horrible idea? I have 2 female runners, 1 male runner, and 4 laying hens in my coop and I am afraid I run the risk of my male or one of the hens attacking them.

Thank you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I came home today to 2 ducklings so far, the 3rd may or may not be hatching, I couldn't tell when I looked in. I have runners and this is the third time I have let one of the females sit on the eggs. The first 2 batches I took from the nest right away and put in a brooder. This time I was thinking about leaving them with the mother in the coop. Is this a horrible idea? I have 2 female runners, 1 male runner, and 4 laying hens in my coop and I am afraid I run the risk of my male or one of the hens attacking them.

Thank you.

Why can't you move mom too so she can have her ducklings, they can raise them so much better than us. some temporary fencing and a safe place to sleep? once they are 2-3 weeks old and the rest of the flock have seen them daily in their separate quarters they will be old enough and strong enough to be with the rest of the flock.

 

[redbugs13]

I will do that, I just wasn't sure if I should/could leave the mama out with the babies, I assume she will keep them warm enough without having to have a heat lamp on them?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I will do that, I just wasn't sure if I should/could leave the mama out with the babies, I assume she will keep them warm enough without having to have a heat lamp on them?

Unless she hatches a huge brood yes she can keep them warm You have to keep an eye on things for the first few days to make sure mama is doing her part but most of the time all they need from us is food water and protection. Please post pics when you get time and Congrats!!

 

[Going Quackers]

Leaving with the mama is actually more normal, and "ideal" than us playing duck mothers.. we are never capable of teaching the ducklings what a mama can, and unless as ML said the brood is to large for her to cover she will be more than sufficient & capable to keep them warm, I had a Muscovy raise a clutch last March, it is definitely winter here that time of year, she did fine.

Love to see pics!

 

[redbugs13]

Thank you. I created a pen within my coop for her and her 3 ducklings. I have a nest area that is a small garbage pail turned on its side with hay, I hoped she would take them in, but she hid in the corner with babies out in the cold. After waiting about an hour to see what she would do I moved babies into the nest myself and left alone for another hour or so, planning on taking a heat lamp in if she didn't go into the nest. When I went out to check she was sitting on them in the nest! Good Mama! All 3 babies were poking their heads out this morning. Question about food: I have a chick feeder with starter food, as well as a larger feeder with my normal food for mama. Is it ok to have both? Do I need to worry about the ducklings eating mana's food and vise versa? Thank you both for your help. I will post pics soon.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you. I created a pen within my coop for her and her 3 ducklings. I have a nest area that is a small garbage pail turned on its side with hay, I hoped she would take them in, but she hid in the corner with babies out in the cold. After waiting about an hour to see what she would do I moved babies into the nest myself and left alone for another hour or so, planning on taking a heat lamp in if she didn't go into the nest. When I went out to check she was sitting on them in the nest! Good Mama! All 3 babies were poking their heads out this morning. Question about food: I have a chick feeder with starter food, as well as a larger feeder with my normal food for mama. Is it ok to have both? Do I need to worry about the ducklings eating mana's food and vise versa? Thank you both for your help. I will post pics soon.

I'd feed all of them chick starter if mamas food is layer, if all flock crumble all can have that too. too much calcium in the layer for babes. Hope we get to see some pics soon. Congrats on the littles.

 

[redbugs13]

I don't have a pic of the babies yet. But here is a pic of Mama in the nest keeping the babies warm. Good Mama!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't have a pic of the babies yet. But here is a pic of Mama in the nest keeping the babies warm.

Good Mama!

So sweet. I love dedication.