Babybearhiggins
In the Brooder
- Apr 20, 2023
- 7
- 2
- 14
I live on a marsh with dozens of ducks, several of which stay in our yard, as they know we’re a dependable provider of cracked corn. My favorite Muscovy laid 7 eggs in my garage on the bare pavement and ended up breaking 3 of them trying to move them. She had at least 30-40’ left of concrete to go before even making it to grass, and there was really no safe place for her to sit on them, so I bought an incubator. Long story short, today is day 19 of incubation & I think 3 of the eggs are alive.
Now that hatching time is approaching, I’m wondering how intensive the care for the babies will be and if they will be able to adjust to life with the other ducks ok. I don’t want them to be our pets. I’d like them to be as self sufficient as the other ducks that are in the marsh, which hang out in our yard, but go out into the water and socialize with the others.
Is this a dream? How long will it take for them to grow up and go out with the others? Or is it possible that the mother duck could take over care of the babies. She isn’t broody- she’s still very sweet and friendly. Is raising these ducklings going to be a huge responsibility?
Now that hatching time is approaching, I’m wondering how intensive the care for the babies will be and if they will be able to adjust to life with the other ducks ok. I don’t want them to be our pets. I’d like them to be as self sufficient as the other ducks that are in the marsh, which hang out in our yard, but go out into the water and socialize with the others.
Is this a dream? How long will it take for them to grow up and go out with the others? Or is it possible that the mother duck could take over care of the babies. She isn’t broody- she’s still very sweet and friendly. Is raising these ducklings going to be a huge responsibility?