How to care for new babies with mama

[Yukonn15]

we have cared for many newborn chicks in a brooder. We have incubated and hatched ducks in a brooder. But one of our female ducks went broody and we have her and two new babies since yesterday. I separated the other ducks from her, but do I just provide food and water in their little house just like I would in a brooder? Is it ok to let them all out? It's a pen, I'm just not sure if their safe. We are in a rural area and lost babies before. Also it's not flat ,it's a hill. Should I keep the mammas pool filled for her, I don't want them to drown, they can't really reach it, it's off the ground. I hope some one can tell me what the set up for a mama and babies should look like.

 

[Beer can]

If you've had ducklings brooded inside you know how disgustingly stinky they are, pigs. I loved it when our girls started hatching their own outside.
Ducklings hatched with mamma will not drown in a pool or pond. Newly hatched ducks will not have the oils on their feathers to shed water but broody hatched one's will, they get it from mamma sitting on them, some of mamma' s oil transfers on to them so even the littlest of tiny suckers swim in a pool or pond just fine.
Your other ducks shouldn't harm them, mamma will keep them safe but it is a good idea to keep a eye on them at first to see how they interact.
As far as losing them to predators it's a chance you take when you free range. I've never liked ducks cooped up though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think for at least first week while ducklings and mama are bonding and ducklings are getting stronger they should be separated from the rest. where all can see each other though. I have had many ducklings hatch under mamas only way we do it here and I have found it best to keep them this way I usually go 2-3 weeks by making temp pen with small house for their safety. I put food and water inside for them and first week I don't have water for swimming since I lost a duckling to drowning in it's first week in a cat litter pan which is not very deep and yes it was with it's mama and sibs. I guess I am pretty protective I try my hardest to keep any of mine from being taken by a predator. Be sure if you let them out in the pen they can't get through the fencing I used plastic poultry fencing from Lowes to make my temp fence the holes are much smaller than reg poultry fencing and much easier to use and take down.
@Yukonn15

 

[RubyNala97]

So I have a mama duck with 5 babies that hatched a few days ago. She is in a dog house with them. I screened it off and have been putting food and water in with them. (I also had a baby duck drown in a water dish last year that was with mom and that was my only experience with this, as she only hatched one egg). This year I’m hoping not to lose any. But as of today she wants out. She is pushing up against the screen really trying to get out. I have one other female and one male in the enclosure. The male is very aggressive (I bought them as adults, did not raise them myself). I’m worried about letting her out with the babies. Should I separate the male and let her out with babies and the other female? Leave the pool filled? I’m so scared, these babies are so tiny. Is she just sick of being in the dog house for so long since she sat on the eggs in there?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Put the other 2 drake and female in another area but where they can still see mom and ducklings then let mama and ducklings out. This way no one gets injured and mama doesn't have to do a thing but start teaching her ducklings I usually keep mine separated but where everyone can see each other 2-3 weeks by then when they all are let together the rest of the flock has pretty much lost interest in the newbies. If you have a pool in there most likely the ducklings won't be able to get into it for a while unless you have a safe way for them to get in and out. You could always put a paint tray with water for the ducklings and let mom have the pool
When we had our very first ducklings my dh made a ramp to go into the pool they learned to use it right off. They were probably about half week old when we put it out for them mom taught them well.

I also had a duckling drown in a cat litter pan once so I do understand your worry.

 

[RubyNala97]

Put the other 2 drake and female in another area but where they can still see mom and ducklings then let mama and ducklings out. This way no one gets injured and mama doesn't have to do a thing but start teaching her ducklings I usually keep mine separated but where everyone can see each other 2-3 weeks by then when they all are let together the rest of the flock has pretty much lost interest in the newbies. If you have a pool in there most likely the ducklings won't be able to get into it for a while unless you have a safe way for them to get in and out. You could always put a paint tray with water for the ducklings and let mom have the pool
When we had our very first ducklings my dh made a ramp to go into the pool they learned to use it right off. They were probably about half week old when we put it out for them mom taught them well.

I also had a duckling drown in a cat litter pan once so I do understand your worry.

Perfect. Thanks so much. We’ll try it out today.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Of course we are going to have to have pics of this first outing.

 

[Jpat]

Of course we are going to have to have pics of this first outing.

For science clearly

 

[RubyNala97]

Of course we are going to have to have pics of this first outing.

Just wanted to update and thank you for the advice. I seperated the the 2 adults and let mama and the babies out. They are doing great! I put big rocks in the big water dishes and put down a pie tin filled with water and the babies love it. They can’t get into the big pool but mama goes in for a few minutes at a time and then back down with the babies. Great advice! It is working out very well. Now how long until I mix in the other 2 adults? They aren’t thrilled about being penned up but it’s not that bad for them (I spoil all of them, trust me!).

 

[Jpat]

Holey god i cant handle the cuteness on here today iam gonna pass out