Help please.

[moonlight_meadow]

So my duck made a nest in our coop and she has been sitting on the eggs. We are happy and are excited for the eggs to hatch. But my mother and I have questions about what we should do when the eggs actually start to hatch.

We know if we leave the duckling in the coop they can be trampled and killed. But we fear that if we move the nest into a brooder, our duck will lose interest in hatching the eggs.

We were thinking of just fencing off the area of the nest and providing food and water for her until the eggs hatch. But I came here to ask what we should do and I would really appreciate any information we can gather!

Also, once the ducklings hatch, should we separate them from our female duck? We want them to be accustom to us somewhat, but since the female duck isn’t too accustomed to us, we don’t know if we should separate them or not.

Thank you for reading and thank you to those who could help!

 

[Perris]

hello @moonlight_meadow ! welcome to BYC
I can't answer your question but I'll flag up some people who probably can or who will know someone who can; @ronott1 @Ridgerunner @aart can you help here please?

 

[Jbently28]

I would create a temporary run for her if at all possible. Especially if your flock isn't too accepting of new members. That is what I do with all of my mamas and their babies. I just make sure that it is integrated with the flock so that the others can be introduced slowly and appropriately. As far as pulling them, that is a personal choice. But perhaps you could pull some and leave her with a few.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC!

We know if we leave the duckling in the coop they can be trampled and killed. But we fear that if we move the nest into a brooder, our duck will lose interest in hatching the eggs

Each time I have tried to move a broody duck and her eggs it did not go well, so I would not try to move her.

We were thinking of just fencing off the area of the nest and providing food and water for her until the eggs hatch. But I came here to ask what we should do and I would really appreciate any information we can gather!

That would work.

Also, once the ducklings hatch, should we separate them from our female duck? We want them to be accustom to us somewhat, but since the female duck isn’t too accustomed to us, we don’t know if we should separate them or not.

If you want tame ducklings you could do that, but it would mean having to take them in a brooder with a year source.

 

[ronott1]

I agree that the temporary fence is a very good idea! I would leave them there and let mom raise them. You can spend time with them each day and give them treats.

You might get Mom to come around too that way.

Hoping for the best!