Indian Runner Duck _ She is trying to push something

[Miss Lydia]

Hi sorry it’s taking this long to answer I am without internet and this is my first time to get on BYC to post in quite a while. Getting ready for ducklings is so exciting. I have always kept my duck mama and duckling in the coop with everyone but they have their own space so the ducklings don’t get picked on or worse you just never know how a drake or another duck might behave. Mamas will try to protect but I just don’t let it happen. I use scrap pieces of lattice covered in plastic poultry fencing to keep the little ones in with mama and then once all birds are let out in the morning I let mama and her ducklings out to have the run of the coop. Mamas have always done well being inside for that first week then they get to come out in separate fencing so everyone can come and meet but still no one can pick until 3 weeks then mama and ducklings are released into the flock and it has gone well with integration.
This is one set up I use. I feed starter and mama eats it too it will help her get back to good health after brooding too add nutritional yeast to it 1 tab per cup. Water containers need to be deep enough the ducklings can clean their bills and eyes but you want something they can’t climb into and drown something like the picture easy to make. Mama get a tall one so duckling can’t get in it. I use rubber feed bowls for first pool then they graduate to a cement mixing tub with large rocks to get in and out. Some use paint trays. Keep us updated on when hatch begins.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

Hi @Miss Lydia
Oh no worries !
That's really helpful. Thanks for the pictures as well. Will do some arrangements & will keep you informed when they are hatched.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

@Miss Lydia
Thanks for your help!

Update: Only one duckling hatched out of four. I couldn’t isolate it since it keeps escaping through the nylon netting, but so far, everything’s good! The other runners are fine with the new member and aren’t aggressive at all. I built a little brick slope in case it falls into the pond, and the mother’s taking great care of her. I’ve been giving food and water separately, but the other ducks keep sneaking in and stealing it lol!