rectifying my false runner problem

[aladatrot]

If I were actually to be able to get my hands on some fertile runner duck eggs this fall, is there anything special I need to do to talk my broody buff orpington chicken into hatching them for me? Would I need to separate the hen into a different coop, or could she stay in my main hen house?

I'm so irritated about having six months vested in my false runner ducks from the hatchery, but it's time to move on and fix the problem. Having never hatched ANYTHING before, I'd hate to pay a premium for extra special Holdereads ducks only to botch the attempt with my own ignorance. Any tips would be awesome!

Cheers
M

 

[CityChicker]

I don't think Holderread's sell eggs, do they?

As far as your broody goes, a good broody hen will generally hatch ducks out no problem. As long as she is definitely broody and has a nest in your coop that is relatively undisturbed, she should do fine. I know some people separate their broody hens, but I have never had to do that. It just depends on your chickens and if you have any in the bunch that might disturb her.

 

[L0rraine]

We only had one duckling hatch under our Buff Orpington, but I am pretty sure it's because the hatchery sent too many eggs and I couldn't make myself decide which three or four to toss (so there she sat with fourteen eggs - vigilantly tending). Only two developed very far at all, but one hatched, cute as a bug, and my Orpington hen doted on her.

(And, it sounds like my experience must have been similar to yours (my fawn and white runner egg hatched out as a black 'runner' mix?).

Then last Spring our bantam cochin hen went broody. I just gave her six duck eggs to sit on and four went most of the way - three started pipping but could never make it out of the shells and my effort at helping one had a disasterous ending. My thought was that the egg membranes were too dry, and I read later that sometimes giving the eggs a light daily misting can help alleviate the problem.

Eventually two of my ducks went broody (after too many eggs were left 'uncollected') and I had two pretty successful hatches. So you'll get there eventually!