Rouens as mother ducks

[mc410205]

One of my Rouens went broody for the first time - she’s 2 years old. She hatched two babies on 7/2, and abandoned the nest on 7/6. On 7/7 I went to dump the nest and found one of the eggs was hatching. We brought it inside and let it hatch, and as of this morning we have a third baby.

I’ve brought baby #3 out to the mom, and she seems okay with him. The issue is that she is running around eating and drinking, while the two bigger babies keep up. This little one is happy to tag along, but isn’t as fast or big as the other two.

He wants to lay down every chance he gets, I assume because he is still so new.

Should I bring him back inside and put him in a box alone under a heat lamp or hope that momma duck does her job and takes care of him?

Oh - and the other ducks the drake never minded the first two ducklings, but did NOT like the new one. They are penned up for the time being until I figure out my plan! Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

You might to let the other ducks out and mama and babies penned to give the little one time to get it's legs under it. When tiny and new it takes a lot out of them to try and keep up. You could lose it.

Congrats on the new ducklings and Pics always welcome.

 

[mc410205]

Thank you! I’ll try that.

Here are some photos of momma and babies, as well as some hatching photos! The hatching was amazing to watch!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great pics love the hatching one too.

I always keep my mamas and ducklings in a smaller area for a couple weeks just to give the ducklings time to get their legs under them and get strong enough to be with the rest of the flock and get away if someone wants to bully. They can all see each other but no one can get to mom and babes.