Momma duck rejected duckling

[MommaofMaters]

I'm not new to ducks, but this is the first time I've had one actually sit. The eggs pipped and I was expecting babies in the next 24 hours or so. Well, I walked past the coop and out in the middle of the run was a duckling! I don't know how it got so far, but I scooped it back into the coop and the mother attacked it when it moved! What should I do?! Clearly I removed the baby, but I've never had any immediately after hatching. I can set up a brooder, but I know babies in an incubator usually don't get moved for a while. Any advice is appreciated. This is her first clutch, is she just confused or is she going to attack the others as well?!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd set up a brooder and remove each as it hatches. Not ever hen that sets knows what's going on when the eggs hatch. They generally won't eat for a day or two, but still provide feed and water and hopefully it gets some company soon. I've read people use mirrors or stuffed animals for company for a solo duckling.

 

[MommaofMaters]

I'd set up a brooder and remove each as it hatches. Not ever hen that sets knows what's going on when the eggs hatch. They generally won't eat for a day or two, but still provide feed and water and hopefully it gets some company soon. I've read people use mirrors or stuffed animals for company for a solo duckling.

Thank you! I'm going to set up a brooder for sure. My girly is holding the baby against her for warmth right now (it's in the 80s here, so it should be plenty warm with that and body heat), I was worried about adverse effects of it being moved so soon after hatching too. I definitely do not trust momma! At least 3 had pipped this morning, but I didn't move them to check. Hopefully s/he will have some company soon. And thankfully I was off work today! This baby is definitely being named Lucky after this whole ordeal.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some hens are better moms the next time, but usually I don't ever give them another chance. It is devastating to find them dead because the mother is attacking them. I'm glad you had today off too. Lucky is a great name.

 

[MommaofMaters]

Some hens are better moms the next time, but usually I don't ever give them another chance. It is devastating to find them dead because the mother is attacking them. I'm glad you had today off too. Lucky is a great name.

Thank you, but no. After the anxiety of this, I don't think I'm going to let her do this again.

 

[MommaofMaters]

So, there are two now. And she have them both the boot. I didn't even attempt to give her back the second one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Very cute. Glad there is a couple so they aren't lonely.

 

[Finchbreeder]

Birds are like people. Some are natural mums, some are not. Some do lousy the 1st time then settle down right after that. Funnily enough some do great at 1st then go off the idea, like "bother this" not doing it anymore.