Old Fashion Broody Duck Thread 2015 Edition

[CMRDucks]

I also have 6 from one duck (Dark Wader) 2 weeks old and so far 5 from today from Nanni. She still sits on some eggs. The reason for the low hatch rate of the trio is mainly they are the worst mothers ever. I don't know how often I had to save the duckies. After one hatched they pretty much decided that's enough. However they did stay on the eggs until they had one each. After that they got really careless.

I don't know if I have enough posts to post pictures. Plus I don't know yet how. I'll check it out. They seem to grow faster than the ones I had in the brooder last year.

So yes, I think with the right ducks co-parenting can work. I believe that only the fact that they have three mothers each even made survival for these 3 possible.

Gracie that is the main broody is drake size and oh so (insert major expletives here) determined. ChocoDuck is the runt of the four but the loudest most pushy duck determined to assist in the brooding. Houdini would be the one that went all goofy and "hey little ducks what a surprise let's go swimming - why aren't you moving?" - she's the blond joke punchline of the flock. I trust my drake with the ducklings more than her. Part of my quandary in this adventure.

I am new too and I haven't been moderated for posting pictures but my posts were held when I posted too many links in a row. When you do a reply, the box that has the smiley face, the first icon is a link to post pictures. You can upload them directly from your computer.

I believe I have a good parenting cluster, I feel they will do better together. If someone pipes up and says they have never seen this situation work in x years of experience, I will totally rethink those thoughts. In hindsight I think I got all stressed not so much with the hatch/non-hatch but with the quiet. They're Ancona's, they aren't loud but they always have this undercurrent of babble, and it's gone. Nothing feels right when they are so quiet, makes me edgy.

 

[ryanhodapp]

Thanks for teaching me how to post picture. My Silkies are mothers to the new khaki Campbell. They hatched her.

 

[kes4]

Gracie that is the main broody is drake size and oh so (insert major expletives here) determined. ChocoDuck is the runt of the four but the loudest most pushy duck determined to assist in the brooding. Houdini would be the one that went all goofy and "hey little ducks what a surprise let's go swimming - why aren't you moving?" - she's the blond joke punchline of the flock. I trust my drake with the ducklings more than her. Part of my quandary in this adventure.

I am new too and I haven't been moderated for posting pictures but my posts were held when I posted too many links in a row. When you do a reply, the box that has the smiley face, the first icon is a link to post pictures. You can upload them directly from your computer.

I believe I have a good parenting cluster, I feel they will do better together. If someone pipes up and says they have never seen this situation work in x years of experience, I will totally rethink those thoughts. In hindsight I think I got all stressed not so much with the hatch/non-hatch but with the quiet. They're Ancona's, they aren't loud but they always have this undercurrent of babble, and it's gone. Nothing feels right when they are so quiet, makes me edgy.

My two good mothers are Anconas too. Parents are over painted. They are just so calm. I understand how unnerving quiet ducks can be. Only topped by screaming ducklings. Left one is from today. By now she has 7.

 

[CMRDucks]

Thanks for teaching me how to post picture. My Silkies are mothers to the new khaki Campbell. They hatched her.

Awww lucky little duck! Your chickens have to be a bit confuzzled with the new arrival being "different" I don't know chickens but they are really pretty and a bit intimidating! I wouldn't mess with them so little duck should be quite safe. Love the pictures

 

[kes4]

Awww lucky little duck! Your chickens have to be a bit confuzzled with the new arrival being "different" I don't know chickens but they are really pretty and a bit intimidating! I wouldn't mess with them so little duck should be quite safe. Love the pictures

It's the second round for my for older girl chickens. The younger four were raised together with the Anconas. I got them from Boondocker last June, 8 Anconas and 4 Delawares. I was told by them that I could brood them together. They were in the same brooder but different coops now. They still free range together. Nobody ever threatened a duckling beyond "my food, step back". Not even a peck. Works great for my flock.

 

[CMRDucks]

My two good mothers are Anconas too. Parents are over painted. They are just so calm. I understand how unnerving quiet ducks can be. Only topped by screaming ducklings. Left one is from today. By now she has 7.

Mine are over and under colored except for Gracie, she's beautiful. Most of the first clutch is hers. I'll take screeching ducklings over duck silence any day!!! Any! I.do.not.like.silent.ducks.

Those pictures are so precious, especially the one with Mom and her 5 (so far) ducklings. Over colored or not, she's a gorgeous duck and apparently a really good mom! How happy are you?

 

[kes4]

Mine are over and under colored except for Gracie, she's beautiful. Most of the first clutch is hers. I'll take screeching ducklings over duck silence any day!!! Any! I.do.not.like.silent.ducks.

Those pictures are so precious, especially the one with Mom and her 5 (so far) ducklings. Over colored or not, she's a gorgeous duck and apparently a really good mom! How happy are you?

I'm just really happy. Having broodies is just an amazing experience. Here is a proud mom of 1 dad is Ancona. Sorry I don't want to spam the thread, but it's my first time with broodies.

 

[ryanhodapp]

Awww lucky little duck!  Your chickens have to be a bit confuzzled with the new arrival being "different"   I don't know chickens but they are really pretty and a bit intimidating!  I wouldn't mess with them so little duck should be quite safe.  Love the pictures  

Thanks. The Silkies are bantam breeds. What they lack in size they make up for in motherhood. They are such good mommys. I hear the chickens will freak out the first time the duck goes for a swim. But until then, they have been awesome.

 

[CMRDucks]

I'm just really happy. Having broodies is just an amazing experience. Here is a proud mom of 1 dad is Ancona. Sorry I don't want to spam the thread, but it's my first time with broodies.

Umm, I don't think you can spam a quiet thread posting exactly what the thread is specified for Post away with tons of pictures, everyone loves pictures.

You get some amazing shots of parents and littles - if dad is Ancona, what is mom? She looks like a dog duck as in you just want to reach out and pet her like you would a puppy. Little is striking too. Very nice pics!

 

[kes4]

Umm, I don't think you can spam a quiet thread posting exactly what the thread is specified for Post away with tons of pictures, everyone loves pictures.

You get some amazing shots of parents and littles - if dad is Ancona, what is mom? She looks like a dog duck as in you just want to reach out and pet her like you would a puppy. Little is striking too. Very nice pics!

Thanks. I'm kinda new to posting and try to not step on toes. Anyway you can see the duckling with the Cayuga mom. My guess is she is actually from the Black Swedish mom. Third one is a Buff. They needed a new home and I had too many drakes. As you like pictures, here is Buffy.