ducklings

[chub_the_chick]

my duck just hatched out some baby ducklings today and I am worried because our male ducks are very aggressive and we have lots of snapping turtles in our pond and I was wondering should I put them into a brooder?

 

[kesrchicky16]

In my experience, the males won't hurt the babies. Mama will make that clear. As far as turtles, I have no direct advice but I can tell you about my cats.

I have 12+ farm cats. When they first heard my mama duck's brood, they were very interested! 1st attempt to get close mama ran hissing and flapping at the closest cat. They all NOPED the heck out of there. All 6 ducklings grew up happy and healthy.

Never mess with a mama's babies!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

my duck just hatched out some baby ducklings today and I am worried because our male ducks are very aggressive and we have lots of snapping turtles in our pond and I was wondering should I put them into a brooder?

Congrats on your new ducklings! Care to post a pic?

Snapping turtles will eat ducklings, and injure adults. I'd keep the ducklings away from the pond because of the turtle threat - and the fact that they can drown at this age.

When I let broody ducks hatch eggs, I also kept them separated from the rest of the flock until the ducklings were older. If you're concerned about your drakes, I'd definitely keep the babies away from them. This thread maybe helpful.

 

[chub_the_chick]

Congrats on your new ducklings! Care to post a pic?

Snapping turtles will eat ducklings, and injure adults. I'd keep the ducklings away from the pond because of the turtle threat - and the fact that they can drown at this age.

When I let broody ducks hatch eggs, I also kept them separated from the rest of the flock until the ducklings were older. If you're concerned about your drakes, I'd definitely keep the babies away from them. This thread maybe helpful.

thank you, will try to get some pics, but I don't know how to separate mama from the rest, she is still in her nest and her nest is under a large bush, any idea how I could get her into a coop?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

thank you, will try to get some pics, but I don't know how to separate mama from the rest, she is still in her nest and her nest is under a large bush, any idea how I could get her into a coop?

Hmm...I haven't had to move a broody like that...and with ducklings, it could be risky for them if there was a melee.

tagging @Miss Lydia,@Amiga, @WVduckchick for input and suggestions

 

[Miss Lydia]

You def need to get mom and ducklings out from under that bush and inside a secure house. Take the ducklings out from under her and place them in a box take them where your going to put them and mom it would be nice if you had help one to pick up mom another to get the ducklings that way you can take them all together where you are going to keep them. Or if you have a dog crate put them inside that then put them where your going to keep them. Be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Last I moved a mom Muscovy and her ducklings I put them all inside a dog crate and took them to the secure house I was going to keep them in.

 

[chub_the_chick]

You def need to get mom and ducklings out from under that bush and inside a secure house. Take the ducklings out from under her and place them in a box take them where your going to put them and mom it would be nice if you had help one to pick up mom another to get the ducklings that way you can take them all together where you are going to keep them. Or if you have a dog crate put them inside that then put them where your going to keep them. Be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves.

how should I go about this without hurting the ducklings? because she is wedged in the far back and there is another plant on the other side blocking the back I will try to send pics in the morning for you to see what the situation is.