New to call ducks

[Mama Jo]

Help... We have a new hatching of call ducks. It is our first. We did not try to breed them on purpose, nature just took its course. We are very excited for the surprise 4-H project. Anyway, Penelope hatched out 13 little ones. She was having trouble keeping them under her and keeping them warm and it was very cold that night. We went ahead and took the 11 that left her side and incubated them. She kept 2 successfully so we left them with her. She is being such a great mama teaching them how to eat, drink, etc. It is so cute.
QUESTION 1: Can we reintroduce the other 11 back to her? If so, when can we do this?


We took the drake out of the pen just moments before the first one hatched out. We were told that the drake could and probably would kill the babies. Penelope and the drake are very connected. The drake is having a fit.
QUESTION 2: When is it safe to reintroduce him to the area? Can I at least create another pen right next to her so he will chill out or could this cause his stress to be worse?

Thank you for your help.

 

[superduckling12]

honestly i don't know but i will ask around if you want!?!

from:superduckling12

 

[StevenW.]

You can try but, do it at night so she can't see you.

I wouldn't even risk the chance of losing the ducklings with putting the drake back in, he'll get over it eventually.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Put up a pen next to hers so they can at least see but make sure ducklings can't go through to his side. and he can't grab them through to his side, also make a top out of chicken wire or something so he can't fly over. Congrats on the awesome hatch. AND

 

[Mama Jo]

I would love that, THANK YOU!

 

[Mama Jo]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and comments... We loved Steven's comment on how Boston Blackie (the drake) will get over it. I think that we will try the pen next door and see what happens. Right now Boston is in the shed with the girl's 4-H show birds and he is driving them crazy with the constant quacking. Thank you Miss Lydia for the insight about checking for areas that the chicks can get through. It is really nice to have a place to come for answers. Wow! Have we learned a lot about Call ducks this last 2 weeks. My kids put some tickets in for a drawing for our original 2 Butterscotch Call ducks at the last poultry show. We were really excited when they won the pair. I never realized how much fun we would have. Baby calls are adorable and very entertaining.