Momma duck raising ducklings

[Afroggie4u]

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Momma and babies. I checked the egg again it looked almost trampled on and the baby way dead unfortunately and didnt look like it was ready to hatch yet anyhow. Guess nature knows what it's doing. But all 11 others are doing good. I havent seen them eat or drink yet but I know someone has been in the food and water. If mom eats will they know to eat and drink with her? I gave mom a deep bowl that the babies cant get into and gave the babies a a regular chicken waterer for now. Will this work? I have raised ducklings before but usually in a brooder never had mom do it so I'm overly nervous. Sorry for the questions but this site is amazing and everyone is so helpful.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You’ve done great got them set up fine too. She sure looks very attentive. Adorable little ones!

 

[PirateGirl]

Mom will show them the food and water! At first I sprinkled some food on the floor near the nest for them as they were so little and clumsy and scared, but it was probably unnecessary. Just make sure whatever container the food and water is in that the ducklings can easily access it. I gave mine a separate small/low sided feed/water dish near the nest and left the regular setup for the big girls out in the run. After about a week or two when mama wanted to take them out and about more and they were a bit more coordinated, they all would just eat/drink together outdoors.

 

[Afroggie4u]

You’ve done great got them set up fine too. She sure looks very attentive. Adorable little ones!

Thank you, I'm so happy. We wanted more ducks but didnt want to order them again since shipping is insane. We have Male and female khaki Campbell's and female runners so these will be runner Campbell crosses. Cant wait to see the colors. They all seem to be standing tall like runners too.

 

[Afroggie4u]

Mom will show them the food and water! At first I sprinkled some food on the floor near the nest for them as they were so little and clumsy and scared, but it was probably unnecessary. Just make sure whatever container the food and water is in that the ducklings can easily access it. I gave mine a separate small/low sided feed/water dish near the nest and left the regular setup for the big girls out in the run. After about a week or two when mama wanted to take them out and about more and they were a bit more coordinated, they all would just eat/drink together outdoors.

I'm using a one gallon chicken waterer, they should be able to reach the water. When I raised other in a brooder I just used a bowl with the lid cut out, but with 11 I didnt know if this would be better for now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hope you’ll post more pictures as you can.

 

[Afroggie4u]

Hope you’ll post more pictures as you can.

Probably when I let them out. I'm going to take others advice and wait until they are a week or two old before I let them out. I worry about the males, my chickens, and guineas bothering the babies. Also worry since I let everyone free range in day time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s a good plan 11 ducklings trying to keep up with mama duck whose free ranging might not be so good. After a few weeks they’ll be able to keep up and keep away from anyone who wants to be a bully.

 

[Afroggie4u]

That’s a good plan 11 ducklings trying to keep up with mama duck whose free ranging might not be so good. After a few weeks they’ll be able to keep up and keep away from anyone who wants to be a bully.

I just feel bad keeping them locked in but I want them safe.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do they have room to move around? Your really giving them time to get their legs under them good and keeping them safe. That to me is very important.