Her behavior.. was interesting

[KikiDeAnime]

So I know I shouldn't have done this but I wanted to allow Duchess, our almost 1 yr old female, meet the ducklings. I let them swim in the bath tub together while keeping them separate with my arms. Eventually Duchess made her way over to them but instead of attacking them, she started making strange noises at them before washing herself in the water like crazy. The ducklings were confused at what she was doing and ignored her for a bit doing their own thing.
She seemed to like them a lot and even hated when I had to take them out to dry them off. She enjoyed swimming next to them or at least staying near them.

What was up with her strange behavior?

 

[Isaac 0]

My ducks get along great with my ducklings, even my drakes. I took a picture of them yesterday playing together. Normal behavior around here at least.

 

[chickens really]

Nothing strange. Just don't leave them alone together. I had Ducklings out with my adult Ducks. My Drake grabbed one and broke its wing tip. I don't put Ducklings out anymore with adult Ducks.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Nothing strange. Just don't leave them alone together. I had Ducklings out with my adult Ducks. My Drake grabbed one and broke its wing tip. I don't put Ducklings out anymore with adult Ducks.

I wouldn't dare!
I've seen firsthand how our adult birds are around baby animals so I wouldn't ever leave them alone.
Duchess actually tried to bite me when I took the first one out to dry it off but I'm completely sure why as she isn't broody or a mother right now. The second one huddled underneath her before I was able to grab it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a sweet time when adults females relate to ducklings that aren't theirs. I had a female Muscovy take on all the Runner and Buff ducklings when the other 2 moms were through at 3 weeks. It's not that common though here anyway. Unless their is one that had duckling and is feeling motherly. So to have an adult treat ducklings nicely is very sweet. And then I've seen the other way where adult ducks are terrified when ducklings are running around. You should see my Muscovy drake running away. It's hilarious.

 

[chickens really]

I wouldn't dare!
I've seen firsthand how our adult birds are around baby animals so I wouldn't ever leave them alone.
Duchess actually tried to bite me when I took the first one out to dry it off but I'm completely sure why as she isn't broody or a mother right now. The second one huddled underneath her before I was able to grab it.

She definitely isn't displaying mother instincts if that's what your thinking? She needs to go Broody and hormones to be a Mother.
Just curious about them. Good thing she tried to bite you and not the Ducklings.