First time mistakes...Help req...

[m4ckys]

Hi,

I am a new memebr here, so please be gentle...we have got three call ducks and a few months ago we decided to buy an incubator, and have a go at hatching an egg or two.

Mistake 1 was think that we could put twelve eggs in and only one would hatch, so far we have five all out and playing.

Mistake 2 was putting the eggs in the incubator as they were laid as now they are hatching quite far apart.

what I would like to know is if it is okay to put a new born bird into the brooder when the ducklings in there are just about two weeks old?

I have heard that the older ones may pick on the baby and I don't want to risk any harm coming to him.

Any advice you can give me would great, and my lovely little 5 ducklings (so far!) Would appreciate it too...

I can post some lovely pics too...

 

[sourland]

Hey, it's a learning process. Two week old ducklings would pick on and trample newly hatched ducklings. Once they are a coup0le of weeks old you can TRY integrating them with the older ducklings.

 

[m4ckys]

Thanks for the quick reply, it defiantly is a learning curve... i will keep them separate like you said for a couple of weeks and see how it goes...

i really should have put all the eggs in the incubator at once!

 

[sourland]

Next time. I have held eggs as long as 21 days with good viability. Most recommend holding for a shorter period of time for maximum hatch rate.