Sneaking ducklings under broody duck nest

[CalliBee]

I have a broody duck that has been on sitting on 6 eggs for 9 days and unfortunately I think they are quitters.
I want to sneak some 1 day old ducklings in her nest but will that work? I know for chickens it’s possible, but chickens are also kind of dumb in some ways.
Will she take to them?

 

[Luv Ducks]

I have a broody duck that has been on sitting on 6 eggs for 9 days and unfortunately I think they are quitters.
I want to sneak some 1 day old ducklings in her nest but will that work? I know for chickens it’s possible, but chickens are also kind of dumb in some ways.
Will she take to them?

It all just depends on the duck itself. Has she ever had ducklings before and if so was she a good Mother to them?? Some are great and would accept them and then you have some that have been known to kill their young because they don't understand the concept of Motherhood. Drakes will oftentimes kill them just to get to mate the females again. Good luck with your decision. If you do decide to do it be sure to monitor the situation closely and then you will know for sure if it is going to work or not.

 

[quackingdom]

After only nine days? My guess is no, she won't adopt them. It is possible to trick ducks into accepting babies that aren't theirs, but my personal experience is that they will only adopt babies if they've already been broody for a few weeks and are close to when they think their eggs should hatch. But I only have Muscovies. Maybe her being a first-time mother will actually work in your favor, since she doesn't quite know how things normally work yet.

I'd give it a try anyway, but yes, be sure to monitor them closely.

 

[CalliBee]

It all just depends on the duck itself. Has she ever had ducklings before and if so was she a good Mother to them?? Some are great and would accept them and then you have some that have been known to kill their young because they don't understand the concept of Motherhood. Drakes will oftentimes kill them just to get to mate the females again. Good luck with your decision. If you do decide to do it be sure to monitor the situation closely and then you will know for sure if it is going to work or not.

She’s a first time mother, a Pekin at that so I don’t have high hopes of her being a good mother.
Although she is very committed to staying on the nest she’s not good at protecting it from others such as the chickens or humans (compared to my broody Anacona who will attack).
Not to mention none of the eggs I gave her made it so I assume she’s not doing something right.
I take these as signs she possibly won’t be the best for caring for her young but maybe she’ll surprise me?
I might try it and closely monitor the situation but I wanted to be sure you could trick ducks like you can chickens.

 

[CalliBee]

After only nine days? My guess is no, she won't adopt them. It is possible to trick ducks into accepting babies that aren't theirs, but my personal experience is that they will only adopt babies if they've already been broody for a few weeks and are close to when they think their eggs should hatch. But I only have Muscovies. Maybe her being a first-time mother will actually work in your favor, since she doesn't quite know how things normally work yet.

I'd give it a try anyway, but yes, be sure to monitor them closely.

Technically she’s been laying on her nest for over 2 weeks. Something got her first 4 eggs she was sitting on, before I added the recent 6.
I would wait until closer to the 28 days before I gave her any ducklings.