So excited, hen has been sitting for 15 days

[GracieJ]

You'll need to check under her, I just lift my duck up and look , But ducklings don't necessarily hatch by the calendar so it may not be right on day 28 and if it's cold that may set the time off too.
I usually move mine right before hatch that way the mom stays put better, I have a broody house that I use but have also used a Xlarger dog crate so I could move the mom and ducklings inside if the weather turned real cold. Where ever you move her make sure to bring plenty of the nesting material with you and the eggs and keep her locked up so she doesn't run back to the old nesting area.

Thank you for the advice!! I left her overnight and checked this morning and I can hear squeaks and peeps!!!! So so excited!! Should I bring her in now? I have a box ready or should I wait for her to come off the nest for a break first? How exciting is this?! Xx

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay you want to get her now put her into something she can't get out of. Then get the ducklings and put them into something separate and any eggs that haven't hatched. Take her where your going to keep them. Can you keep her in with the ducklings and eggs so she doesn't freak out? Put the ducklings and eggs first them mom. She needs time to settle down make sure she has food and water but nothing the ducklings can climb into and drown. Good Luck, and please keep in mind this is what I do with mine and there are others that have successfully moved too, but every duck is different. I really don't think she will leave her ducklings though. they have such a strong maternal instinct.

Check in after move please.

and Congrats!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did you move her and nest yet?

 

[GracieJ]

Did you move her and nest yet?

Say hello to our newborns!! I moved her almost straight away, momma and babies are in a large cardboard box by the radiator indoors nice and toasty. My drake is going mad however and really wants to be with Myrtle but he pecks the ducklings so we can’t keep him near them. Myrtle goes mad because she wants the babies out with her but wants to be with my drake as well. Don’t know what to do. When can they all be together? I’ve made a door in the box and when the Drake is out we let myrtle and the babies come out for supervised exploring (it’s a safe environment). They’ve drank some water and eaten some starter crumbs, so proud of them all. They’ve had a little swim - literally a dip in and out and seem to enjoy it. Boy they are fast though!! Absolutely love them. Thank you for all your advice!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd give the ducklings at least 2-3 weeks where dad can see them often but you want them to be able to get away from dad if he wants to get testy. Drakes can kill ducklings. So Unless you can supervise and intervene if he goes after them I'd give the ducklings a bit of time to get their legs under them better. Then when you let Myrtle and ducklings out together they still may not be able to be closed up together drakes can be unpredictable.

They are absolutely adorable, Congratulations.

 

[GracieJ]

I'd give the ducklings at least 2-3 weeks where dad can see them often but you want them to be able to get away from dad if he wants to get testy. Drakes can kill ducklings. So Unless you can supervise and intervene if he goes after them I'd give the ducklings a bit of time to get their legs under them better. Then when you let Myrtle and ducklings out together they still may not be able to be closed up together drakes can be unpredictable.

They are absolutely adorable, Congratulations.

Thank you so much we’ve done what you said, he can see them but not go near them. I’ll wait till they’re older and stronger. There’s still five unhatched eggs left in the nest and she still sits on them. Should we leave them? It’s day two/three today since the other babies hatched.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd candle them they may not be any good and why make her continue to sit if they aren't smell them too you don't want something rotten exploding where the ducklings are.

Around 3-4 weeks Myrtle will begin to leave them more that is when they will be able to stay away from dad better and during that time you can let them all be together during snack time while your there to see how dad is behaving. He'll get use to them it just takes time.

What about pics of mom and dad haven't seen them yet.

 

[GracieJ]

I'd candle them they may not be any good and why make her continue to sit if they aren't smell them too you don't want something rotten exploding where the ducklings are.

Around 3-4 weeks Myrtle will begin to leave them more that is when they will be able to stay away from dad better and during that time you can let them all be together during snack time while your there to see how dad is behaving. He'll get use to them it just takes time.

What about pics of mom and dad haven't seen them yet.

Okay so I tried candling them but I don’t think I’m doing it properly, I can’t see through the egg shells they don’t smell but I’m going to give it till the end of today and then remove them as she isn’t sitting on them as much now.

The father keeps trying to mount Myrtle, is this normal behaviour? I’ve had to stop him from coming near the brooder now. Myrtle doesn’t want to stay in the brooder so we have to leave her and babies out in a small secure section of my hallway which is ideal the babies are loving the starter crumbs and drinking water, they’re so adventurous. Here’s a pic of the current set up and mom and dad. I also can’t thank you enough Miss Lydia for all your help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh my gosh how adorable is that lil family. Love dad too. Maybe it's the breed but my Muscovy drake stays way away from mama duck and ducklings. But he also has other females to mate with too.
Your doing a great job caring for them all, Hopefully spring will be here soon and mama and ducklings can have adventures outside.

One way I can tell when an egg isn't good is let it sit for a few mins. If mom has been sitting on it once out from under her it will get cold fast if a live duckling it stay warm longer. Most likely though after this length of time they aren't viable.

Congrats on the ducklings and all you've done to keep them safe.

 

[GracieJ]

Oh my gosh how adorable is that lil family. Love dad too. Maybe it's the breed but my Muscovy drake stays way away from mama duck and ducklings. But he also has other females to mate with too.
Your doing a great job caring for them all, Hopefully spring will be here soon and mama and ducklings can have adventures outside.

One way I can tell when an egg isn't good is let it sit for a few mins. If mom has been sitting on it once out from under her it will get cold fast if a live duckling it stay warm longer. Most likely though after this length of time they aren't viable.

Congrats on the ducklings and all you've done to keep them safe.

Thank you ever so much! I’ve removed the eggs, they weren’t viable which is sad but we are happy she had the amount she had! They’re six days old tomorrow - going on six months! They try and eat mommas food (worms, pellets, lettuce) because I can’t feed her seperately but they don’t really eat it lol. They play with the worms, it’s so entertaining. They also love a small quick swim in a bowl of water, they even wash themselves in it. Momma is noisy though, she hates being in the brooder and though we give her and babies the run of the hallway, it’s not enough the father is lonely bless him as he was spoilt whilst she was nesting and now can’t see why he can’t come in all of the time! Hope you’re doing well and I’d love to see pics of your ducks!! Post some here if you want x