@Chicalina , I just read on another thread that you've had many chickens hatch ducks. This new member has questions you can probably answer. Hopefully they will return to this thread and read any advice you may have to offer.
Hi there. Yes no problem.
I see advice has already been given on food. I would add the following:
As to housing, I usually keep chicks with mama for 1 week separate from the flock. Just so they can find their feet and run from any pecky hen. Then they all go together and it works out fine for me.
Your hen will defend and take care of her ducklings the same as if they were chicks when they are all in the flock.
The ducklings need a shallow tray of water to paddle in, to wash in, and in particular to clean their nares. This is really important. I use an old oven tray about 3 inches deep. They need to dunk their heads in water, so nipple drinkers and cup drinkers are not enough for them. They also like wet mud to dabble in, which they will create, and will filthy up the water very quickly. You need to change the water several times a day. They will also poop in it. Ducks are cute but disgustingly dirty!
Mama hen will freak out a bit when they get in the water, but she will get used to it.
They like floating food put in the water, so dried mealworms, cooked peas, shredded lettuce will be a hit. It's so fun to watch them. Small quantities though as they will have their staple crumble in the main.
They do a lot of feather grooming compared to chickens and this is normal. It's because they rub their bills on their preen gland to waterproof their feathers as they come in. Don't assume lice if they are constantly grooming, though do your usual checks.
Check for any poking out nails or sharp bits of wire in your coop and run, as webbed feet are more vulnerable to being snagged. They need soft litter to avoid bumblefoot, but I guess you won't have them long enough to worry about this. They won't roost, they sleep on the coop floor. Deep shavings work great. You need something absorbent as their poops are wet and squirty, not semi solid lumps like chickens.
That's all I can think of for now in terms of differences.
Of course you know the 28 day incubation.
One of our sweet brahma chickens, Lavender, went broody back in the spring. After two months of trying to help her, it was clear she wanted babies and nothing would keep her out of the nesting box. Since we live in the city, no roosters allowed (you can do the math of why she can't have babies heehee!). Long story short, my friend who has a farm suggested giving us fertile duck eggs for her to hatch. Three of the eggs have babies arriving any day now!! We are very excited to meet them and Lavender has been one happy chicken mama nesting on them for the last 3 weeks. Here is where I need help. What do I do once they hatch? I've raised baby chicks in a brooder before, but this is such a different situation. We are keeping them until they are old enough to return to the farm. But once hatched, do I leave them in the coop with the mama and other chickens? Or do mama/babies need a separate space now? When do the babies need chick feed and water? Not sure how to provide that if they are in the nesting box with mama in the coop. My hope would be to find a way to keep them in the coop with mama because I really don't have another place for them. I didn't quite think this through went getting the fertilizer duck eggs. Help from crazy a chicken/duck/animal lover!!
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
