Moving baby ducks?

[Dfarago]

My ducks just started hatching today and we want to move them and the mom to the other pen we have which is much safer from small predators and much more baby friendly. So what is the best way to do that? Would it be to remove the mom and then carry the Box with the ducklings in it to the new location? Or maybe block the door and carry the box with the ducklings and mom to the new location? Although with that I would be worried about the mama freaking out inside of there and hurting then. Or would it be best to pick up the mom and then pick up the ducklings and slowly walk them all to the new pen and then set up the box?

 

[sourland]

I'd move the mom and then quickly add the ducklings so that she doesn't panic.

 

[Fluffnut]

And do it at night- the mother is much more likely to be calm.

 

[Jpat]

And do it at night- the mother is much more likely to be calm.

Is that true for your ducks? I find mine way more sketchy at night, Like they cant see who iam and freak out

 

[sourland]

I would be inclined to move them during the day when the mother can see what is going on.

 

[Fluffnut]

Okay; that's just something I read. It probably depends on the duck, or maybe I'm just wrong. I'm probably wrong

 

[Jpat]

Chickens it might work for, My chickens are zombies in the dark, and the ducks become alert

 

[sourland]

Okay; that's just something I read. It probably depends on the duck, or maybe I'm just wrong. I'm probably wrong

When fostering chicks/ducklings to a brooding hen it is best to do so by slipping them under her while it is dark. Moving a mother after she has bonded with her hatchlings is a slightly different situation.

 

[Dfarago]

Thank you all for the advice. We were able to move the mother and all of her babies successfully with a minimal amount of stress.

 

[Fluffnut]

When fostering chicks/ducklings to a brooding hen it is best to do so by slipping them under her while it is dark. Moving a mother after she has bonded with her hatchlings is a slightly different situation.

Oh, thank you! I was just confused between the two. That makes more sense.