Rouen duck gone broody

[rouenducks09832]

I currently have 2 rouens, 2 pekins and 1 Cayuga. My drake, Jamie,mates frequently with my girls. The female rouen (Ty) has started to sit on her eggs and shes been sitting for about two weeks now, (give or take a few days). There are currently about 10 eggs in the nest. I've made sure she has clean water and food as usual and cleaned there kiddie pool about two times a day to make sure she has somewhere clean to swim and I put food and water near her nesting area so she doesn't have to walk too far from her nest. Since this would be her first hatch, I have a few questions.

1.Is there anything i should be doing differently since she is broody ( different food maybe?)?

2.When (if) the eggs hatch should I remove the drake? Should I take him out before they hatch? Should I take out the other females too to prevent the ducklings from being attacked by them?

3.How old will the ducklings be before she takes them out of the nest too teach them to swim, what to eat, ect.?

4.Should i candle the eggs or leave them be?

5..If they hatch, can i handle them? Will she get mad if I do? Will she reject them if i do?

6.Once they're a little older, should I reunite the mom and the ducklings with the others? Or should i keep the ducklings separate from the others for forever?

7. Will she go broody next year, or is it more of a "one time" thing?

Sorry for all the questions, i just want ot make sure I'm doing everything right, I'm so excited!!

. All answers are appreciated thanks

 

[GitaBooks]

Congrats!

Sounds like she's well taken care of. I don't own ducks, but I have done research and I do have experience with chickens so I hope this helps.

I wouldn't worry about different food. She'll eat enough to keep her going each day and then go back on the nest.

I would suggest waiting until the eggs hatch and then moving the hen and her ducklings into a separate pen for a few weeks. The reason for this is just to make sure there is no bullying, so the ducklings can eat their starter food without the adults eating it all, and just in case there would be a problem where they couldn't get out of the pool.

I would guess once all the chicks are dry she will take them off the nest and teach them to eat right away. As for swimming, I'm not sure.

Some people suggest candling eggs, but I generally leave my broodies be. If you are worried an egg is infertile you can candle it though.

Hens have their own unique personalities. A hen shouldn't mind if her duckling doesn't give a distress call, but some chicken mothers will attack people when they reach for their chicks, or at least give a warning "growl". She won't reject them though, not after she bonds with them.

When the ducks are strong enough that a peck won't hurt them and they won't drown in water dishes they can't escape from, you can certainly put them back together.

Some hens go broody twice a year, some once a year, and some only once in their life. It depends on the individual.


Good luck!

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[rouenducks09832]

Thanks! That helps a lot!

 

[rouenducks09832]

When the ducks are strong enough that a peck won't hurt them and they won't drown in water dishes they can't escape from, you can certainly put them back together.

You don't think the other ducks will see them as invaders or something and try to attack them if I reunite them, will they?

 

[GitaBooks]

My chickens do fine upon introduction. The mother may keep them off to the side for a while as she teaches them, but this is normal.
It also depends if they are raised in sight of the others or not.