Hen hatched duck eggs

[TheLittlestPig]

Hi,
We have a hen that has hatched 3 duck eggs. I want to give these little guys the best, and I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions. Is it okay to leave them with the hen? Is there any type of shelter, feed, etc. that they need special? Here's our coop set up: 4 hens, 1 rooster in a 10' x 25' pen. Should I keep the ducks separated from all the other chickens? We have ducks but they have no interest in little ones, and they hang out with a pair of guineas (weird!). Thanks for any help!

 

[Johnn]

Hi,
We have a hen that has hatched 3 duck eggs. I want to give these little guys the best, and I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions. Is it okay to leave them with the hen? Is there any type of shelter, feed, etc. that they need special? Here's our coop set up: 4 hens, 1 rooster in a 10' x 25' pen. Should I keep the ducks separated from all the other chickens? We have ducks but they have no interest in little ones, and they hang out with a pair of guineas (weird!). Thanks for any help!

The hen can bring up the ducklings probablies better than a duck because most ducks are useless mothers. If you give them chick crumb make sure its non-medicated because apparentley teh medicated kills them. If the mother is high in the pecking order i would leave them be...

 

[gryeyes]

The hen can bring up the ducklings probablies better than a duck because most ducks are useless mothers. If you give them chick crumb make sure its non-medicated because apparentley teh medicated kills them. If the mother is high in the pecking order i would leave them be...

Please don't worry about medicated chick starter, because it NO LONGER is toxic to ducklings - that's very old, old information. It used to be bad, but not - at least in the U.S. - for at least ten years. People just keep perpetuating the warning, because somebody told them that.....

I've raised all my ducklings on medicated chick starter with no problems. So have many other folks. The important thing is to add Brewer's Yeast (the powdered kind is easiest to use, if you don't feel like crushing tablets) and you can find that at most natural foods stores, if not many groceries.

Good luck with your ducklings! Mama hen will be upset when they want to go swimming, though.