Hatching duck eggs under a broody hen?

I dont see any problem with it as long as the ducks havent been already been broody for so long that they would give up the nest before the 28 days needed to hatch the ducks. Go for it.

chel

 

Doesn't it take 40 days or so for ducks to hatch?

 

Domestic ducks take 28 days to hatch. Muscovy take longer.

chel

 

My next door neighbour had duck eggs given to her and she put them under her broody hen and it worked perfectly, no different to chickens. the only drama she had was that the ducklings wanted to have a swim and mumma chick thought they were nutz!!!so she had the little mini pond in the brooder pen and the ducklings swam while mumma chook looked on with dismay!!!!

 

Poor Mamma chicken - I can just see her look of dismay ... how funny

 

I went to an auction last week and someone brought a silkie mix broody hen in with 5 ducklings she had just hatched out. They sold for 26$ I was told you buy the hen and get the chicks (or in this case ducklings) for free. So how much is a good broody worth? Apparently 26.00 in this town.

 

wow, thats a pretty good price, ive never bought or sold a broody, perhaps there is a market out there for broodies!!

 

Hey Marebear, how did you go, did you try them yet?

 

I put 2 call duck eggs under my broody yesterday, could she hatch some of her own eggs as well or would that not work??
I'm a little worrried about size as well, the ducks are small but she is a tiny little bantam!!!
Is it always 28 days for duck eggs to hatch....... will she not give up a 3 weeks?
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!