Sanctuaryfarm
In the Brooder
- Nov 12, 2025
- 3
- 4
- 11
I have over 80 chickens & about 50 ducks & have kept them successfully (they all live extraordinarily long lives!) for about 27 years.
I have a question now about something I've never done: I want to let some girls in one community pen of approximately 33 ducks (Rouens, Runners, Khakis, Sweeds, Blue Sweeds, American Black & a single Mallard) have some ducklings in the spring. There are 5 drakes & 28 hens. They lay communally in 12 large coops inside a predator proof 1200 sq ft pen, so I never know each morning who's eggs are who's & they always seem to share egg sitting shifts.
How can I safely allow ducklings to be born in this setting? Can I mark eggs for leaving and pull the rest? When ducklings hatch, can they be raised safely in this setting? If not, how could I possibly know which hen(s) to seclude with chicks or not? I would welcome any advice experienced duck keeps have about this.
I have a question now about something I've never done: I want to let some girls in one community pen of approximately 33 ducks (Rouens, Runners, Khakis, Sweeds, Blue Sweeds, American Black & a single Mallard) have some ducklings in the spring. There are 5 drakes & 28 hens. They lay communally in 12 large coops inside a predator proof 1200 sq ft pen, so I never know each morning who's eggs are who's & they always seem to share egg sitting shifts.
How can I safely allow ducklings to be born in this setting? Can I mark eggs for leaving and pull the rest? When ducklings hatch, can they be raised safely in this setting? If not, how could I possibly know which hen(s) to seclude with chicks or not? I would welcome any advice experienced duck keeps have about this.
