Should I introduce my new duckling to its mom?

[Newxxxduck]

I just wanted to give a bit of a back story for this to make sense. On of our Mallard ducks have a nest going on of over 12 eggs. She’s been sitting on them for a while and three days ago when I checked on the nest an egg hatched but the duckling was smushed under another egg and I’m assuming the mom helped smush it. So through the day I checked on the nest and another duckling started to hatch. So I brought this one inside to hatch so the same thing wouldn’t happen. The duckling is doing great, eating, drinking, swimming. So my question is, can I introduce to it to its mother?

 

[Miss Lydia]

do you know if any more have hatched? most likely you can slip this back under her but it might be imprinted on you and it may not take so you'll have to watch closely and see how it goes. Put you hand around the duckling so she can't see it when you slip it under.

 

[chickens really]

Yes..You should be able to slip it back under her. Go try it ASAP before it won't work.

 

[Newxxxduck]

do you know if any more have hatched? most likely you can slip this back under her but it might be imprinted on you and it may not take so you'll have to watch closely and see how it goes. Put you hand around the duckling so she can't see it when you slip it under.

No more have hatched yet. I’ve been watching it daily. I’m just worried that the other three ducks in the pen might hurt the duckling or the mom might not realize it

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is where it would be a good idea to separate mama and babes from the rest while hatching is going on and for at least a week after. That way all is safe. Temporary fencing of some kind would work. That way the others can see the new babies but no one can get to them

 

[chickens really]

Hmm?. Can you block off Momma and her nest. The Duckling needs to imprint to Momma or it will human imprint and you will have to raise a lone Duckling.

 

[Newxxxduck]

That is where it would be a good idea to separate mama and babes from the rest while hatching is going on and for at least a week after. That way all is safe. Temporary fencing of some kind would work. That way the others can see the new babies but no one can get to them

Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Please be sure to let us know how it goes. for success

 

[Newxxxduck]

Hmm?. Can you block off Momma and her nest. The Duckling needs to imprint to Momma or it will human imprint and you will have to raise a lone Duckling.

The new duckling did in print on me. I got another duckling from the store that is a week older and I have those two together inside now

 

[Newxxxduck]

Please be sure to let us know how it goes. for success

I will!