Ducklings and other ducks

[FussyHen]

I have an Ancona duck setting on eggs, has been for 2 weeks. NOW I have a question.

I bought my ducks as hatchlings, with no other ducks around. I kept them away from the chickens for obvious reasons. These will be my first homegrown babies.

I have 3 hens and 1 drake who free-range on a fenced 1/2+ acre. They spend nights in a sturdy, varmint-proof structure like a large dog house, 5'x4'x4.5' tall, no divisions inside. The hen is setting in a corner of the house.

Will the ducklings be all right living with the other ducks? Do the mom ducks get protective? She hisses at me now, when I approach the door. I'm hoping they don't have to separated -- I don't have a good way to do that.

Any tips appreciated!

 

[sourland]

Generally duck hens are very protective of their ducklings, and generally (given enough room) most flockmates leave a hen with her ducklings alone. Keep an eye on the drake - upon occasion some drakes may initially be aggressive to ducklings. Good luck for a successful hatch.

 

[FussyHen]

Thank you, I hope that is the case -- when I had two males, they never seemed aggressive toward each other (like roosters are), so I am looking forward to an attitude of, "Oh, they're hers -- that's okay, that means they're one of us". *fingers crossed*

 

[needlessjunk]

You are walking a very thin line and I would not keep them all together since this will be everyone's first time. I would find a way to keep them apart. While yes hens are suppose to be protective that is not always the case. Even some new duck mom have been know to flip out and kill their own ducklings. Drakes are usually aggressive to smaller ducks and you are running a pretty big risk. Some ducks are great moms and you will never have any problems but I wod hate to find out the hard way when one isn't and something happens.

 

[Muscovynmore]

The average chicken won't bother pecking a baby bird. Once the ducklings get bigger, this rule tends to stop (drakes follow the same rule). I'd definitely give the ducklings a cage or smaller pen that the adult birds can't get into, just in case.

But unless you have a killer bird, they should be fine. Just keep an eye out.

 

[Debs Flock]

I have an Ancona duck setting on eggs, has been for 2 weeks. NOW I have a question.

I bought my ducks as hatchlings, with no other ducks around. I kept them away from the chickens for obvious reasons. These will be my first homegrown babies.

I have 3 hens and 1 drake who free-range on a fenced 1/2+ acre. They spend nights in a sturdy, varmint-proof structure like a large dog house, 5'x4'x4.5' tall, no divisions inside. The hen is setting in a corner of the house.

Will the ducklings be all right living with the other ducks? Do the mom ducks get protective? She hisses at me now, when I approach the door. I'm hoping they don't have to separated -- I don't have a good way to do that.

Any tips appreciated!

It sounds like you have a great set up there. I urge you to exercise caution once the ducklings begin to hatch. I've lost count of how many times I've read about new moms harming (and yes, even eating) their ducklings. I've read about drakes being aggressive toward ducklings almost as often. I have no way of knowing how common or uncommon it is, but better safe than sorry.
Good luck with the hatch!

 

[Muscovynmore]

It sounds like you have a great set up there. I urge you to exercise caution once the ducklings begin to hatch. I've lost count of how many times I've read about new moms harming (and yes, even eating) their ducklings. I've read about drakes being aggressive toward ducklings almost as often. I have no way of knowing how common or uncommon it is, but better safe than sorry.
Good luck with the hatch!

That happens? Yikes! I thought only rabbits did that. . . . Well, none of mine have ever done anything but accidentally stepped on theirs. I guess I should be thankful.