How Many Ducklings Should I Give Broody Hen?

[gatrapper]

Hey Y'all,

My Swedish went broody and made a nest next to my shop. I let her sit on the nest for two weeks until the eggs in my incubator hatched. Yesterday I took her off the nest and put her eggs in the incubator and put 7 ducklings under her. I had a few more ducklings hatch today. How many ducklings could I give her to where she could still keep the warm at night?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Swedish are pretty large so I'd try these last 2 along with the other 7 and stop there. That's the thing making sure all stay warm especially these newest ones. How is she doing with the first ones?

 

[gatrapper]

Swedish are pretty large so I'd try these last 2 along with the other 7 and stop there. That's the thing making sure all stay warm especially these newest ones. How is she doing with the first ones?

Doing great with the initial 7. She is a great mother.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She may go ahead and accept these new ones since she just got the other 7 yesterday, did you try it yet?

 

[gatrapper]

She has 10 now. She accepted them without any problems.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Hey Y'all,

My Swedish went broody and made a nest next to my shop. I let her sit on the nest for two weeks until the eggs in my incubator hatched. Yesterday I took her off the nest and put her eggs in the incubator and put 7 ducklings under her. I had a few more ducklings hatch today. How many ducklings could I give her to where she could still keep the warm at night?

My mallard kept 11 ducklings warm and it had even gotten down below freezing. Her nest was behind tarps that lined a medium sized pet gazebo. She left them all at 3 weeks and they huddled together and stayed warm themselves that way. They were born in Ohio in March and we had some really cold weather. Every one of them did great though so I was really fortunate. I worried about letting them be alone with no heat but they stayed in that gazebo at night huddled together and had plenty of food and water and all grew up and were just fine. Good luck with your Hen and ducklings.

 

[gatrapper]

I ended up giving her all 13. She has handled them wonderfully. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a good mama duck. Can we see pictures of the happy little family?

 

[Luv Ducks]

I ended up giving her all 13. She has handled them wonderfully. Thanks for the help everyone!

So glad to hear this, Ducks are absolutely amazing! I am so glad they are all doing well. Thanks for the update.