Raising ducklings under broody he

[Laurenk]

We have a mix of runner and cayuga duck eggs under our broody hen, hatching started 3 days earlier than we expected and there are still 4 unhatched, went in this morning to put the ducklings to the water and food as mama hen doesn't seem to want them to leave the nest to find one of the ducklings dead a pretty squashed! Any advice would be much appreciated. She seems extremely protective of the babies and not at all aggressive but am concerned that they will need water and food regularly and she is not budging off the unhatched eggs! So my question is two fold I guess; would the ducklings be safer under a brooder and if I should let her persevere then should I regularly take the ducklings out for food and water until the remainder have hatched?

 

[JaeG]

She's a good broody because she knows there's still life in those eggs. Can you put food and water next to her? If it's within reach she will show them what to do. She's probably pretty hungry herself.

 

[Laurenk]

She's a good broody because she knows there's still life in those eggs. Can you put food and water next to her? If it's within reach she will show them what to do. She's probably pretty hungry herself.

Thank you for your response, I had the food and water as close as possible but she wouldn't be able to quite reach from her nest box. Sadly all 3 of the hatched babies have died, I am absolutely miserable. I am wondering if there is bacteria in the nest as I am not sure how long the first duckling was dead before I found him. I was thinking of getting her up to do a quick clean of the nest box and wipe of the non hatched eggs today to see if that might prevent the same happening to the others. Am just so sad and unsure what to do for the best.

 

[JaeG]

Thank you for your response, I had the food and water as close as possible but she wouldn't be able to quite reach from her nest box. Sadly all 3 of the hatched babies have died, I am absolutely miserable. I am wondering if there is bacteria in the nest as I am not sure how long the first duckling was dead before I found him. I was thinking of getting her up to do a quick clean of the nest box and wipe of the non hatched eggs today to see if that might prevent the same happening to the others. Am just so sad and unsure what to do for the best.

Oh no, I'm sorry. I'd do a quick nest clean - it couldn't hurt. She should move with her eggs and stay on them in a different spot while you clean the nest.

You don't have an incubator you could finish hatching them in, then give them back to her? Are there any other hens in with your broody? They can interfere and potentially kill babies.