New Ducklings Intro to Dad

[thelastrabbit]

Hi all,

Our hen hatched 9 runner ducklings on the 1st of the month. We have the run and coop space sectioned off and all seem to be doing well. Our drake (proud daddy) sits just in the other side of the fence all day trying to be part of the family, mom is also seeming to miss the drake. I have read on the board there may be concern with drakes attackling hatchlings. I’m wondering if this is with introducing incubator babies vs mama hatched ducklings. Should I wait to do the intro or proceed?

 

[chickens really]

It's actually introducing any babies to the Drake ..He definitely could still injure or kill them. He has no idea that he is the father. Drakes do not take part in raising Ducklings like a gander would.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You could try dad with your supervision just small visits. You just never know with drakes how they will react and most likely his main objective is to mate with his female. My Runner drake was around his ducklings when they were tiny and he paid them no mind but I never left them alone with him and the rest of the flock. Now they are 9-weeks and older he runs towards them to keep them away from his females.