Momma duck raising ducklings

[Afroggie4u]

Ok my runner duck has justed hatched 11 duckling 2 days ago and the all are doing great. One egg is cracked but didnt hatch yet. Should I leave the egg or remove it? Also I have them separated in their pen from other ducks and chickens. When would it be safe to let them out with other birds? I free range everyone during the day and lock them in the pen at night. Or should I build a separate outside area for momma and ducklings until they are older? Also I'm concerned about her being a runner and I have not read good things about runners being good mothers but so far so good. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Congratulations on a successful incubation and hatch. When they are fully mobile (perhaps a week old), I would try free ranging them with the flock - closely monitoring interactions. A separate pen for the night might be a very good idea. Good luck.

 

[Afroggie4u]

I built a pen inside the regular house for them so that would work for night time without having to move to another house and try to reintroduce to this house. If that makes sense. Thanks for the advice.

 

[MotherToMoose]

I have a kind of off topic question but you may be able to help me out if possible lol I have a runner female and am wanting to get her a friend, she’s about to be 3 and I was thinking about getting her a duckling. I’m worried if I end up with a male and it just being the two of them if he would oversex her. Is your runner female and male like the only ones that breed or do you keep them separated?

 

[Afroggie4u]

I have a kind of off topic question but you may be able to help me out if possible lol I have a runner female and am wanting to get her a friend, she’s about to be 3 and I was thinking about getting her a duckling. I’m worried if I end up with a male and it just being the two of them if he would oversex her. Is your runner female and male like the only ones that breed or do you keep them separated?

I have 2 males and 6 females. I read that you should have a minimum of 3:1 but if they were just a pair I'm not sure. I know my boys go at it with all the girls ALL the time. I'd get at least one other female and a Male so you have 2:1 but I'm not an expert, I just know the boys enjoy their women.

 

[Afroggie4u]

I have a kind of off topic question but you may be able to help me out if possible lol I have a runner female and am wanting to get her a friend, she’s about to be 3 and I was thinking about getting her a duckling. I’m worried if I end up with a male and it just being the two of them if he would oversex her. Is your runner female and male like the only ones that breed or do you keep them separated?

Oh sorry forgot, no they are not separate I free range and house at night everyone together.

 

[MotherToMoose]

I have 2 males and 6 females. I read that you should have a minimum of 3:1 but if they were just a pair I'm not sure. I know my boys go at it with all the girls ALL the time. I'd get at least one other female and a Male so you have 2:1 but I'm not an expert, I just know the boys enjoy their women.

That’s very helpful information, thank you!!