Well that's a first..........I went out to feed the flock and freshen up Delilah's feed and water and when I leaned over to grab her dishes she fluffed up off the nest a little and hissed at me!
Well that's a first..........I went out to feed the flock and freshen up Delilah's feed and water and when I leaned over to grab her dishes she fluffed up off the nest a little and hissed at me!
Update:
Got the poultry netting and set up a decent sized area around the nest with some shade for momma and ducklings. She protested and panicked a lot when trying to separate her from her trio....so ended up putting the trio in the fenced area. Then put a couple feeders and 3 different water dishes and put ducklings in once they all calmed down. the ducklings are loving the run of the little yard and having fun, but momma still doesn't have much interest in them. She would rather be with her trio, so I'm hoping that will change. the adult trio kinda just ignores the ducklings, she even kinda backs away from them sometimes when they all come barreling after her, a few times the momma gave a gentle little push to a duckling when he was in the water pan that she wanted to dibble in. She wasn't mean about it but still not real "motherly" and one of the babies did get stepped on by accident once by the drake...but no apparent harm done.
I guess she's a good brooder but not a good Mother once they are hatched? Will she learn to take care of them? The ducklings are happy to do their own thing as long as they can see her not too far away...but otherwise they just hang out together. Now I'm wondering if I should separate them at night (as she now wants to go into the coop with the other adult ducks like she used to and doesn't want to be on the nest anymore. so should I bring the babies in at night and just put them out there with her during the day? I really don't want to put them in the coop with the adults 'cause I fear they will step on them or get smothered. Here's a pic of my babies!
Me too!!
I'm sooo hoping!
Looking at a candeling chart, we may still have a few more days.
And my son must have put them back to her standard, (he wore gloves) because Mama is back and sitting happy!
Update:
Got the poultry netting and set up a decent sized area around the nest with some shade for momma and ducklings. She protested and panicked a lot when trying to separate her from her trio....so ended up putting the trio in the fenced area. Then put a couple feeders and 3 different water dishes and put ducklings in once they all calmed down. the ducklings are loving the run of the little yard and having fun, but momma still doesn't have much interest in them. She would rather be with her trio, so I'm hoping that will change. the adult trio kinda just ignores the ducklings, she even kinda backs away from them sometimes when they all come barreling after her, a few times the momma gave a gentle little push to a duckling when he was in the water pan that she wanted to dibble in. She wasn't mean about it but still not real "motherly" and one of the babies did get stepped on by accident once by the drake...but no apparent harm done.
I guess she's a good brooder but not a good Mother once they are hatched? Will she learn to take care of them? The ducklings are happy to do their own thing as long as they can see her not too far away...but otherwise they just hang out together. Now I'm wondering if I should separate them at night (as she now wants to go into the coop with the other adult ducks like she used to and doesn't want to be on the nest anymore. so should I bring the babies in at night and just put them out there with her during the day? I really don't want to put them in the coop with the adults 'cause I fear they will step on them or get smothered. Here's a pic of my babies!
I'm sorry I got off before you posted, what did you do last night? hopefully you didn't put babies in with the adults. and they are adorable. word of caution I had one duckling trampled to death last year that is why I am so adamant about not letting ducklings run loose with adults till they are at least 2-3 weeks old they just can't get away fast enough. They really are fragile that first couple 3 weeks. and my goodness what sweet lil ducklings. I'm sorry your not seeing mama taking better care of them, seems when humans start messing around with breeding for SOP and other things they not only breed broodiness out but mothering also. Although I'm sure even in the wild there are good mama and not so good ones. If she will at least stay with them during the day then I'd keep her and them in the fenced area you made and then bring them in at night unless you see her wanting to be with them come evening. But I look forward to hearing how last night went.
Something must be going on and a hiss she is protecting something I bet it's ducklings..
e I hope you will soon hear the sweet peep of baby ducklings!!!
