I just went up to collect our chicken eggs and underneath one of my silkies was a duckling. I was shocked! We have a male and female pekin duck but we were told our chickens might not hatch them because they take longer to hatch then chicken eggs. Its our first egg ever to hatch so I need some advice...
My mom wont let me use an incubator or a heat lamp because electricty costs so luckily the duckling is very happy under the chicken and the chickens dont mind either. Only problem is we only have 1 enclosure for all our chickens and 2 ducks. Its big and they all get along but im scared the bigger chickens or ducks might hurt the baby. Also, how do I feed it and make sure the other chickens dont eat all its food cuz I go back to work tomorrow. They are in hen nesting boxes so the duckling csnt even get in and out. The nesting boxes are inside a shed tjing we built for the hens and its got lots of pine shavings but the chickens and ducks all like to sleep in there.
Also, how long ago do you think it was born? Its not wet but can barely walk and still has the little "tooth" on the end of its beak (my husband said it was called that) to get out of the egg.
What do I feed it? Chick starter w/ water? Or mash powder stuff?? Sry for all the newbie questions. And thank you for any advice.
My mom wont let me use an incubator or a heat lamp because electricty costs so luckily the duckling is very happy under the chicken and the chickens dont mind either. Only problem is we only have 1 enclosure for all our chickens and 2 ducks. Its big and they all get along but im scared the bigger chickens or ducks might hurt the baby. Also, how do I feed it and make sure the other chickens dont eat all its food cuz I go back to work tomorrow. They are in hen nesting boxes so the duckling csnt even get in and out. The nesting boxes are inside a shed tjing we built for the hens and its got lots of pine shavings but the chickens and ducks all like to sleep in there.
Also, how long ago do you think it was born? Its not wet but can barely walk and still has the little "tooth" on the end of its beak (my husband said it was called that) to get out of the egg.
What do I feed it? Chick starter w/ water? Or mash powder stuff?? Sry for all the newbie questions. And thank you for any advice.