Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

Good morning
Well today mom gave me a scare
I was filling waters abc I could hear the broody quacks
Worried I ran over to the coop as I hadn’t let ducks out yet Barney got the door open and ducks came running out
I step in and realize moms not on her side she was the one bursting through the door first
No idea how long she was out of her area
Babies thankfully are fine
Mom came back and I left her door open so she could bring them out
She did just to the covered area as they are to tiny for me to trust in the big yard yet
Stella my 10 week old goose was trying to go after the babies
Anyone know why she would be like this?
I stood guard and kept her back
Sometimes when they are so tiny I don't even know if other animals even know what they are or not as even adult ducks will go after them. My own dogs would go after a baby but never touch them once they are taller and feathered. I am glad all turned out well.
 
Sometimes when they are so tiny I don't even know if other animals even know what they are or not as even adult ducks will go after them. My own dogs would go after a baby but never touch them once they are taller and feathered. I am glad all turned out well.
I wouldn’t trust my cats or dogs yet either
They do fine once they are about 4 -5 weeks old I will let them be around but not before that
Usually it’s a see no touch in a smaller enclosed pen for 1-2 weeks in the yard depending on weather before hand
 
Good morning
Well today mom gave me a scare
I was filling waters abc I could hear the broody quacks
Worried I ran over to the coop as I hadn’t let ducks out yet Barney got the door open and ducks came running out
I step in and realize moms not on her side she was the one bursting through the door first
No idea how long she was out of her area
Babies thankfully are fine
Mom came back and I left her door open so she could bring them out
She did just to the covered area as they are to tiny for me to trust in the big yard yet
Stella my 10 week old goose was trying to go after the babies
Anyone know why she would be like this?
I stood guard and kept her back
oh no Stella! probably because they are new. I have a hen named Stella, I had a grandmother Stella, lol great bird name
 
Well my day isn’t over yet with my broody mom getting cabin fever
I have a drake ( thankfully my most chill one ) in the duck house with bumble foot
It’s raining out and I don’t want his foot wet with the wrap on
Mom and babies were in their area
She wanted out so she have pushed her gate open and brought the babies out to the bigger area
I walked in to find her and babies hanging with captain jack
I have her back in her area and put a brick there to hold the gate closed
I just don’t want the little ones eating the adult feed yet
Hopefully it’s nice out tomorrow so mom can go outside for a bit and break this cabin fever
The babies are adorable!
 
I wouldn’t trust my cats or dogs yet either
They do fine once they are about 4 -5 weeks old I will let them be around but not before that
Usually it’s a see no touch in a smaller enclosed pen for 1-2 weeks in the yard depending on weather before hand
Denver my almost 2yr old golden retriever, can be around 4 day old ducklings with no issue she watches them and tries to lick them. If i had to i could leave her with the ducks and chickens and when i come back they would all probably be near each other laying around
 
I would be tempted to raise it myself with a mirror and a stuffed animal if you end up with no other ducklings. If Momma hen is not keeping it warm or keeping half an eye on it at least then she should not be allowed to raise it. My ducklings though were out running around without being under their Momma Duck at 2 days old and it was only in the 50's here at the time. I was amazed that in the house they are kept at 90 degree heat and with Momma Duck they can withstand cold temperatures and survive just fine. She even let them dip into the small water bowls and not worry and now they are all feathered out and doing great. Good luck with your decision.
So, I replaced the broody#2 with a different hen whom was also broody. The replacement hen (whom is named honey badger) is more than happy to sit on eggs. She is unsure on if she actually wants chicks, so the (now 8) hatched ducklings are sitting under broody #1.
Honey badger is sitting on the last egg that hasn't hatched... That particular egg seems to be 2-3 days away from hatching. The other 4 eggs that were set at the same time hatched last night or today. I'm blaming the low humidity in the coop.
Everyone else in the brooder is happy, and other than the duckling that hatched like 3 hours ago, every one is running around and healthy. (Well, they were. They're now asleep). I'm exhausted. I learned a lot though!
IMG_20230618_184646.jpg

This was my improvised incubator. Along with the last of the ducklings that hatched today
 
So, I replaced the broody#2 with a different hen whom was also broody. The replacement hen (whom is named honey badger) is more than happy to sit on eggs. She is unsure on if she actually wants chicks, so the (now 8) hatched ducklings are sitting under broody #1.
Honey badger is sitting on the last egg that hasn't hatched... That particular egg seems to be 2-3 days away from hatching. The other 4 eggs that were set at the same time hatched last night or today. I'm blaming the low humidity in the coop.
Everyone else in the brooder is happy, and other than the duckling that hatched like 3 hours ago, every one is running around and healthy. (Well, they were. They're now asleep). I'm exhausted. I learned a lot though!View attachment 3547742
This was my improvised incubator. Along with the last of the ducklings that hatched today
Aww! More dictators to watch over!
 
The babies are adorable!
When my Mallard Momma's ducklings were 2 weeks old she wanted out away from them so I let her out and kept the ducklings separated until 4 weeks old and all was well with them and the rest of the flock. I have my 5 drake separated so I did not have to worry about the young ones if any are female getting mated. I do have All flock crumbles in there for them along with my layer crumbles that I bought in case they decided to eat some of them but all are perfectly healthy and its been over a week ago that I did it. Good luck with your little ones. They sure are cutie pies!!!
 
Denver my almost 2yr old golden retriever, can be around 4 day old ducklings with no issue she watches them and tries to lick them. If i had to i could leave her with the ducks and chickens and when i come back they would all probably be near each other laying around
I trust my dog after the 4-5 week mark
I haven’t given her the chance when smaller to know if she would be good
She probably would as she would lay either outside the duck door or inside the coop when mom was sitting on her eggs
She is in the yard with my birds all day and never had an issue in 2 years of having them
She is older 12 years in July
Husky
She guards them all day
 

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