Expectant duck mom

[Czech Out Ranch]

Hey y'all,
My mallard hen is incubating. This is my first layer duck and I feel like the more I read the more worried I become. At the ranch we like to let nature take it's course but of course help things along and provide what is needed for success. I want my hen to be able to raise her ducklings but everything I read says keep them in an incubator, etc. Anyone like to let your mom's raise their babies? Any advice to calm my nerves? Thanks! I also have two Cochin hens so there will be chicken questions down the road

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey y'all,
My mallard hen is incubating. This is my first layer duck and I feel like the more I read the more worried I become. At the ranch we like to let nature take it's course but of course help things along and provide what is needed for success. I want my hen to be able to raise her ducklings but everything I read says keep them in an incubator, etc. Anyone like to let your mom's raise their babies? Any advice to calm my nerves? Thanks! I also have two Cochin hens so there will be chicken questions down the road

I always let my ducks brood and hatch their own eggs. They sure do a better job than us. Just give mom and babies a safe pen and shelter for a bout a week or 3 just to let ducklings get started on their legs good and protected. You'll be amazed how well they do and mama will teach them all they need to know. Main thing is protecting them from other members of the flock and predators once they have a couple weeks under their belt so to speak they can be out with everyone else. I make sure everyone can see the new family as well as new ducklings get to meet everyone through fencing for their protection.
Welcome to BYC.

 

[Kaessa]

Hey y'all,
My mallard hen is incubating. This is my first layer duck and I feel like the more I read the more worried I become. At the ranch we like to let nature take it's course but of course help things along and provide what is needed for success. I want my hen to be able to raise her ducklings but everything I read says keep them in an incubator, etc. Anyone like to let your mom's raise their babies? Any advice to calm my nerves? Thanks! I also have two Cochin hens so there will be chicken questions down the road

Mallards are really good at hatching their own eggs. There are a lot of ducks that don't bother, so you'd need an incubator in that case, but if you have a broody hen, roll with it. They're much better at this than we are.