Help with 2 day old Muscovy that has imprinted

[uptown hens]

I have a 2 day old Muscovy that has imprinted.

Background, this is the second hatching back to back for two adult momma's sharing the nest.

First hatch had probably 20 eggs, only one surviving chick. Too hot temperatures and no moisture I believe was the issue. First time mom's.

Mom #2 layed several days after mom#1 in same nest.

After 4 successful hatches, they abandoned the nest. 24 hours later I went to remove the eggs assuming they were no longer viable. I heard peeping.

I hurried and got the eggs into the incubator.

Most were lost due to shrink wrapping or abandonment.

The one peeping hatched and was reunited with momma's.

One chick was lively but it took 8 days for it to hatch. (Assuming mom#2 layed it later into the nest)

I had to assist in the last stage but all was well in the end.. EXCEPT, the duck appears to have imprinted to me. Not sure how or why because I didn't handle after hatching.

I tried reuniting with momma's less than 24 hours later but no go. I try multiple times per day yesterday and today, no go. They won't have it and it runs to me. They are aggressive towards it when forced.

Any suggestions. I really really need to try to show this duck it's a duck not a human. It needs duck skills etc.

I have helped several hatch or after hatch with splay legs etc. And have never had this issue.

Thank you for any suggestions...

 

[Miss Lydia]

It’s yours whether you like it or not. I had one too he was attacked by his mama when he hatched once he got to 12 weeks old we knew we had a drake and went an got him his very own girls. But everyday from the time I took him in until he was 12 weeks old he went out to be around all my birds. Chickens ducks an geese. I would sit out for an hr in the morning an afternoon. So he knew he was a duck. Once he went outside for good he had his own bedroom we had built stalls in our coop since I had multiple drakes and as you probably know most drakes won’t tolerate another Muscovy drake close to them. So Opie has to get use to living outside and having his own room at night. Wasn’t easy transition for him going from house to coop an hard for me too but we made it through but getting those 3 female muscovy same age really helped.

 

[uptown hens]

Thank you for your reply.

I'm trying one last thing. I went out and got one of the other chicks and put them together in the brooder. I'm hoping they will bond and I can return both to momma. He's only 3 days old now so hopefully he has a chance to change things. I've never ran into this before. So we'll see.
Thank you again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm glad you did that. I was going to come back and suggest that but got side tracked till just now. I'd would have done that too but she managed to kill the other duckling so he was left alone. I really didn't mind him being inside and my baby. It was the first time I'd ever done this since my girls had always hatched and raised. He's 9 yrs old now and still loves me. I hope this works for you and mama will take them both in!