Help. - mumma hen pecking freshly hatched duckling!

[LillyBantam]

My first duckling hatched today on day 26, he seems strong, is just laying under her. He's atoll wet so freshly hatched, when mumma hen saw him she pecked him, is she going kill him or trying to stimulate him? This s her first hatch.

 

[Lollipop]

My first duckling hatched today on day 26, he seems strong, is just laying under her. He's atoll wet so freshly hatched, when mumma hen saw him she pecked him, is she going kill him or trying to stimulate him? This s her first hatch.

I'd say get him outta there and brood him in a brooder box. If she's pecking him, she won't mother him and will kill him. It's very unusuall for that to happen, but in reality, some hens aren't good mothers at all. Don't give her another chance, unless you are prepared to brood the hatchlings........Pop

 

[LillyBantam]

Its ok, I think she was initially doing it to clear egg matter from him, she's now loving him, watching him closely, keeping warm... so panic over, phew!