Old fashioned Broody thread for ducks 2013 edition

[Miss Lydia]

Aren't mamas just so precious!

 

[rescueacres]

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Momma flew the second the barn door was opened, so from now on no one can enter. Her instincts to mother aren't the greatest yet.

This is mom and dad on the nest a few days ago. Runner ducks. Drake and Carley. They are not your typical runner, these guys fly everywhere! We lost two last fall because they flew out and disappeared.

 

[Amiga]

...2 Hours Later! Sorry For the Delay... Thank you Firefox!

 

[Going Quackers]

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Momma flew the second the barn door was opened, so from now on no one can enter. Her instincts to mother aren't the greatest yet.

This is mom and dad on the nest a few days ago. Runner ducks. Drake and Carley. They are not your typical runner, these guys fly everywhere! We lost two last fall because they flew out and disappeared.

Oh my aren't they all so cute! She flew out? my broody girl just goes for people lol

 

[rescueacres]

Yes, she is very skiddish and seems to have no protective instinct. I wish she would hiss and protect, at least I would feel better about the babies staying safe and warm that way. Putting a heat lamp out there isn't really feasible.

 

[Going Quackers]

Yes, she is very skiddish and seems to have no protective instinct. I wish she would hiss and protect, at least I would feel better about the babies staying safe and warm that way. Putting a heat lamp out there isn't really feasible.

Yikes, how are your temps? i'd be careful, if she won't stay, they could freeze and die.. if you cannot put a lamp, you may need to become mama, unfortunately.

 

[jdywntr]

Well, if mom has left the nest and you can't put heat out there and see if she decides to return you need to remove the hatchlings. You may be able to salvage some of the eggs if you set up a makeshift brooder.
Some of them just don't get it.
My December broody was extremely protective. My next one hatched out only 1 and abandoned it a few days later. Baby found my other broody and took up with her. She just hatched out 9 or 10 (I'm not sure) Saturday and is doing a good job of taking care of them.

If you can get her to return and block her in there, everyone may be okay.

 

[rescueacres]

She returns as soon as I leave, so I figure I won't go back in for a day or two. I made sure water and food will be ok if I don't enter and hopefully all will be well.

 

[hfchristy]

This is mom and dad on the nest a few days ago. Runner ducks. Drake and Carley. They are not your typical runner, these guys fly everywhere! We lost two last fall because they flew out and disappeared.

Does the dad normally hang out in the nest area like this? Do you have to kick him out at some point?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Does the dad normally hang out in the nest area like this? Do you have to kick him out at some point?

He maybe hanging out there if you just have those 2 or they are a mated pair, but most of the time my drakes just pretty much ignore the broody duck, too busy chasing the other girls with feathers. when hatching starts you may want to close up the nest area till ducklings are steady on their legs and then just try him with them under supervision to see how he acts, drakes have been known to kill ducklings.