Getting new baby ducks for broody ducks

[Cass8710]

Hi
We had four ducks. One being a drake. The drake and one of ducks went missing early spring. We ordered some more baby ducks that will be here in a couple of weeks. We have two ducks that are now broody on one nest with ceramic eggs inside. They've always only made one nest in the coop (not sure if that's strange), but they are both trying to sit on it now. I'm worried about what will happen with two broody ducks on the nest when we try and swap the eggs for the baby ducks. We have also never done this before so any tips would be appreciated.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How long have they been sitting? If possible try to make the swap right around the 28 day mark to mimic when their eggs would naturally hatch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just stay close by and have a plan B just in case.

 

[Cass8710]

Should we let both keep sitting? We are only getting 3 ducklings. How will they decide who mothers?

 

[Cass8710]

Bumping?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think the one who started first might be best. 2 ducks sitting on a nest with new ducklings slipped under could cause fighting and the poor ducklings will b trampled in the process.
If it works at all. And don't mean to be a downer but I just went through this experience with my hens[chickens] First one to go broody this spring i went and got 2 chicks for her she took to those chicks so fast and vise versa, they are 11 weeks old and mama and her 2 are still together.
Then fast forward to 2 weeks ago. I have 5 total broody chickens in my coop so I thought since this adoption took so well I'll do it again haha, went an got 6 chicks and brought them home fixed up 2 places so mama and chicks would have privacy and get to know each other. Boy that went over like a lead balloon neither hen would take the babies started attacking them right off. So guess what I have 6 almost 2 week old chicks in my house in a brooder. That is what I mean by plan B.

 

[Cass8710]

Well we got only one duck sitting on the nest and we're feeling really good about the adoption but came out yesterday to a big black snake in the coop. He has eaten the fake eggs. Feeling like hope is lost on getting her to sit again on the new fake ones that come in today (we tried putting some chicken eggs under her but she broke one and wasn't sitting anymore). Duckling arrive in a week

 

[hfchristy]

It ate the fake eggs?? That sounds like a way to teach the snake a lesson, at least.
Do you know how it got in? I would worry about putting ducklings out there if a snake can get in.

 

[bernie131]

Well we got only one duck sitting on the nest and we're feeling really good about the adoption but came out yesterday to a big black snake in the coop. He has eaten the fake eggs. Feeling like hope is lost on getting her to sit again on the new fake ones that come in today (we tried putting some chicken eggs under her but she broke one and wasn't sitting anymore). Duckling arrive in a week

I would make sure you secure the coop before any new babies. I have a black snake that will not give up getting my ducks eggs,..they will keep coming back. I am using cayenne pepper, vinegar garlic, cloves, cinnamon and ordered a minnow trap and repellent.

 

[bernie131]

Should we let both keep sitting? We are only getting 3 ducklings. How will they decide who mothers?

Have 2 nests