Going through cute & fuzzy duckling withdraw...

[Newfowler1]

Now all my babies are 4-6 months old I think I’ve got...
Empty brooder syndrome??
We all know how much work it can be but lord how I miss seeing them grow and get bigger everyday!
I have 2 drakes and 5 ducks (lost my Goldie last week ). They are various breeds Cayuga’s, Welsh Harlequin, Blue Swedish and Rouen. Only one layer at the moment, maybe two it’s hard to tell with 2 different size eggs lol!

I considered hatching a couple eggs this winter but don’t think it’s a good time to do so. I would like to let them do it naturally in the spring. Is that a big obstacle? Do ducks get broody like chickens?

My Cayuga drake is quite the frisky fella and the girls seem to be lined up for him, it’s cute at the moment. Ask me in the spring though if I feel the same way.

I’ve seen my girls mount other ducks? I assume it’s a bit normal. The oldest drake is maybe 5 months old now.

Any thoughts on that natural hatching lol?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I always use my ducks for natural hatching. My Muscovy's make wonderful incubators. I also have Runners and Buffs and none have ever gone broody so some breeds have it some don't so you'll just have to see in spring if you have one that decides to go broody. If you make a nice area for laying nice soft bedding and even an area kind of secluded inside their house. I use scrap plywood and make little cubbies so they can have a little privacy.
I'm having duckling with drawl too but honestly late spring is best they have a much better chance of survival if brooded out side and if brooded inside they can go out sooner than later.

 

[SueT]

I've raised a brood of chicks in the house each year and by the time they are big enuf to move out, I swear I'll never do it again!
This year I had a broody hen to do the work for me, and it was wonderful. It's like having grandkids as opposed to raising kids. Mama does all the hard work (including integration) and I just enjoy them and take pictures, then back to mama they go.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[johntfs]

Figure momma ducks will generally be a whole lot better at raising ducklings than humans ever will.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Oh i know that feeling! Don't stop by at the duckling bin when you go to the farm-store and always have a jar full of duck-poop with you for those moments of weakness!
Just open it and stick your nose in, it will clean up your mind instantaneously!

I would not allow my ducks to hatch babies before they are at least one year old, have gathered a lot of experiences and their metabolic processes have stabilized. Going broody is a stressful time for a duck's body: Broody ducks drink less and less frequent, they (should) keep their poop in until they take a break, they eat less and less frequent, move less , bathe less and that all can easily wreak havoc on their bodies if they're too young.
And raising ducklings requires an experienced momma! She needs to be able to keep the other flock-members, especially the drakes in check or they will injure or kill the ducklings.
Having such a duck is a blessing and a curse: Much less work for you, because momma is taking care of everything, but she may go broody over and over again and there will be a point when you are being overrun with ducks.
Had a broody duck this year, you can read about my experiences in this article:
Broody Duck! - What now?

 

[Newfowler1]

I've raised a brood of chicks in the house each year and by the time they are big enuf to move out, I swear I'll never do it again!
This year I had a broody hen to do the work for me, and it was wonderful. It's like having grandkids as opposed to raising kids. Mama does all the hard work (including integration) and I just enjoy them and take pictures, then back to mama they go.

This is what I have been considering for guinea and ducks. But I need a good broody hen and no idea where or who I can turn to.

 

[Henry&Friends]

This is what I have been considering for guinea and ducks. But I need a good broody hen and no idea where or who I can turn to.

are you sure you want broody guineas? After having only 4 guineas for a half year, I am praying my guinea hen doesn’t go broody ever

 

[Newfowler1]

Keeping a jar of duck poo on hand!!!!
That's brilliant! !!

Where is the best source for cute duck pictures? Google images is ok but seems same old same old.

I saw a duckling in a slipper here I believe, cutiest damn thing I have ever seen.

My machismo doesn't stand a chance against those cute cuddly little fuzzy babies. They just melt me into putty lol! Baby ducks are like my kryptonite lol. Even my mum is kinda blown away how I have become so mushy and gushy over my little buddies

 

[Henry&Friends]

As for wanting new chicks, we all do. My moms boss/my landlord gave us 6 chicks about a month ago, and we’re down to 3 (one disappeared, one died and one was killed by a dog.) I’m telling you for your own sanity, wait for spring.