Help with baby ducks and putting them back with mama.

[chicken by sea]

We have two Muskogee ducks that have been sitting on a pile of 13 eggs for over six weeks. The other day I walked out to the nest and there was a dead baby, or so it looked like. I picked it up and it was cold, held it to my breast for about an hour, and then it revived. I made a broader box for him. He’s clearly imprinted on me. So each day, I retrieved a new newborn chick who had been thrown outside the nest. We found out we had rats that were coming and stealing the babies and their eggs. So then I took all the eggs and the babies inside. The eggs are now in an incubator. Nothing has happened in the three days. And poor baby ducks in the brooder box. My question is should I return the healthy babies to their mom and keep them separated from the rest of the pen? Or do I just keep them for eight weeks and then then Brian introduce him to the flock? Thank you.
Pictures of cuteness

 

[ruthhope]

We have two Muskogee ducks that have been sitting on a pile of 13 eggs for over six weeks. The other day I walked out to the nest and there was a dead baby, or so it looked like. I picked it up and it was cold, held it to my breast for about an hour, and then it revived. I made a broader box for him. He’s clearly imprinted on me. So each day, I retrieved a new newborn chick who had been thrown outside the nest. We found out we had rats that were coming and stealing the babies and their eggs. So then I took all the eggs and the babies inside. The eggs are now in an incubator. Nothing has happened in the three days. And poor baby ducks in the brooder box. My question is should I return the healthy babies to their mom and keep them separated from the rest of the pen? Or do I just keep them for eight weeks and then then Brian introduce him to the flock? Thank you.
Pictures of cuteness

I suggest that you raise the two ducklings in your brooder and then keep them see no touch until they are 8 weeks old before strying to introduce them to your flock

Do you have a drake in your flock? A drake will try and kill a duckling drake. A drake may try and kill any duckling. I was able to sex my two latest ducklings at 6 weeks old by the reactions of my drakes to them and their reactions to the drakes. My latest two are pekins and didn't get drake feathers until 12 weeks but I knew they were drakes. I did the see no touch for 2 weeks from 6 to 8 weeks and was then able to get them out into the back garden with the main flock [4 drakes, 3 muscovy & 1 pekin] . All three pekins sleep in their own compartments t night safe from squabbling muscovy drakes

 

[chicken by sea]

Thank you, and yes, I have two drakes. Unfortunately it’s too late on the no touch thing. I have grandkids. I’ll put them out when they’re eight weeks old and keep them separated in the coop until they’re big enough to defend themselves.

 

[ruthhope]

Thank you, and yes, I have two drakes. Unfortunately it’s too late on the no touch thing. I have grandkids. I’ll put them out when they’re eight weeks old and keep them separated in the coop until they’re big enough to defend themselves.

Sorry I wasnt clear!! The ducklings should be seen by your existing flock but no touch by your existing ducks for at least 2 weeks before trying supervised integration with your flock. I was not suggesting they shouldn't be seen or touched by your grandchildren. They will likely be big enough to be outside but fenced off from your flock by 6 weeks old

If either of your new muscovy ducklings are male, you will not be able to integrate them into a flock that already has 2 drakes. Your new drake(s) would have to be rehomed.