Raising ducklings

[freeducks]

We have very good layer duck hens and they set on their nests but the snakes keep eating their eggs. I bought incubators and now I'm collecting their eggs every day and artificially incubating them. My question is, when the ducklings are old enough to go out on the water with the adult ducks, will the hens accept them? Our ducks are free range, we have a large pond with a center island for their protection from predators..except snakes.

 

[farm316]

I don't think so, if she has already brooded then she might, If she hasn't chances are that they will not.

 

[freeducks]

That's sad. She was brooding on her first nest but the snake came and ravaged her nest. She abandoned. A different hen is laying in a new nest, these are the eggs I'm retrieving because I'm certain the snakes will move in. I guess we'll just have to nurture them till they're adults and can fend for themselves.