Hatching ducklings under broody chicken

[Onebeautflday]

Hello! I currently have 2 roosters and 9 hens. 1 drake and 4 ducks (hens). One of my broody chickens is about to hatch 12 ducklings. How worried do I need to be about the reaction from the rest of the flock? Should I move mamma and hatchlings to a separate area? We have a small pond in the run and without a “duck” mamma I am afraid. As well. We have a MUCH larger pond we want to have as many ducks as possible.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Has the hen hatched chicks before? Though the other hens are unlikely to care what she hatches, sometimes experienced mothers take one look at the "deformed" chicks and go on the attack.

You should probably keep momma and babies separate from the flock for a few days (I usually do three) so that the ducklings are all imprinted and able to keep up with mum. After that, the sooner you integrate, the fewer problems you're likely to have. Mum'll still be riding that flood of hormones and ready to deal out fire and vengeance to those who threaten her babies.

Good luck on your hatch!

 

[Onebeautflday]

Has the hen hatched chicks before? Though the other hens are unlikely to care what she hatches, sometimes experienced mothers take one look at the "deformed" chicks and go on the attack.

You should probably keep momma and babies separate from the flock for a few days (I usually do three) so that the ducklings are all imprinted and able to keep up with mum. After that, the sooner you integrate, the fewer problems you're likely to have. Mum'll still be riding that flood of hormones and ready to deal out fire and vengeance to those who threaten her babies.

Good luck on your hatch!

This is her first time. She is a really good mom already. I have enough room to separate them from the flock in our coop. That way they can still associate but not get to each other. After that I suppose just let nature take its course! Thank you so much!

 

[Onebeautflday]

Allyn and I just built what I think may be the perfect brooder for us

 

[sylviethecochin]

View attachment 1664712 View attachment 1664713 Allyn and I just built what I think may be the perfect brooder for us

Are you planning on separating the ducklings from the mother hen? If not, there's really no need for the heat lamp--ducklings are very cold hardy (they have to be--water sucks the heat right out of you) and mother hens are very good heaters. It may make it harder for them to adjust to the cold later.