Hula's First Nest!

[Miss Lydia]

While she is sitting why not try and rehome a couple of your drakes because when she hatches your most likely going to be adding more drakes into this already uneven ratio. Will be your best protection against drake abuse.

 

[June Chick]

While she is sitting why not try and rehome a couple of your drakes because when she hatches your most likely going to be adding more drakes into this already uneven ratio. Will be your best protection against drake abuse.

So, I've actually been "juggling" them to see who is most aggressive, and it turns out I only have one real problem-drake. He is SO sexually aggressive, even with the other drakes and while Hula is trying to sit on her nest, so he's been separated and I'm likely going to be finding a home for him soon. I'll also likely be rehoming many of the ducklings.

Do you guys think I should let her raise them and then rehome, or rehome them while they're still really young?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’d let her have at least 3 weeks with them . After all she has to have some happiness after sitting so long. But that’s def up to you

 

[June Chick]

I was thinking that too. Will it be emotionally damaging for them if they're separated when they're older though?
(Sorry, I'm still new to this)

 

[Miss Lydia]

It will be a good time because mama will be getting tired of them to a degree and they will have learned quite a bit from her by then. Print out a care sheet for the little ones and hand out to prospective owners if they have never had ducklings. You can get some good info on here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

 

[sourland]

I was thinking that too. Will it be emotionally damaging for them if they're separated when they're older though?
(Sorry, I'm still new to this)

Realistically, they'll deal with it. If it were me I would leave the ducklings with her until you could determine gender. If you allow the drakes access to her, they may try to breed her on the nest and breaking the eggs and ruining any chance of a successful hatch. Give the poor thing a break and separate all the drakes from her..

 

[June Chick]

Realistically, they'll deal with it. If it were me I would leave the ducklings with her until you could determine gender. If you allow the drakes access to her, they may try to breed her on the nest and breaking the eggs and ruining any chance of a successful hatch. Give the poor thing a break and separate all the drakes from her..

She doesn't need "a break" from the two drakes that have access to her. They leave her be and chase of the chickens that come near her (the ducks and chickens are housed together and get along very well). Unlike Kent (the drake who was separated from the rest), Peter and Puddle (other two drakes who have access to her) are not very aggressive and don't bother her on the nest.

It will be a good time because mama will be getting tired of them to a degree and they will have learned quite a bit from her by then. Print out a care sheet for the little ones and hand out to prospective owners if they have never had ducklings. You can get some good info on here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

They'll be going to homes with people who already know how to care for ducks/ducklings, I'm in a no kill no cull group (for chickens and other fowl), and I already have a few people interested

 

[sourland]

You have unusual drakes. Far different from most that I have had. I wish you luck.

 

[happy duck]

AWWW I am glad they are going to people who know how to care for ducks. It is heart breaking when they are not cared for at all.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She doesn't need "a break" from the two drakes that have access to her. They leave her be and chase of the chickens that come near her (the ducks and chickens are housed together and get along very well). Unlike Kent (the drake who was separated from the rest), Peter and Puddle (other two drakes who have access to her) are not very aggressive and don't bother her on the nest.


They'll be going to homes with people who already know how to care for ducks/ducklings, I'm in a no kill no cull group (for chickens and other fowl), and I already have a few people interested

That is awesome