The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[CrazyChookLady5]

hi everyone,
I don't have ducks yet but I want to get some, and maybe breed them!
I want to get some runners, but I've read that they aren't good mothers. has anyone had/have runners and had this problem? thanks

 

[Amiga]

Out of nine runners, I have three that get really broody.

Sepp Holzer is an Austrian farmer and he says what he started doing was breeding the runners that were good mothers, so now all his runners are good mothers.

 

[DaisyMeadow]

She's serious about it, now. I counted 18 eggs in the nest, and 2 "rejects" this morning when she got up to eat her very fast breakfast. Guess I'll have to get around to calendaring the "due date".

 

[Miss Lydia]

She's serious about it, now. I counted 18 eggs in the nest, and 2 "rejects" this morning when she got up to eat her very fast breakfast. Guess I'll have to get around to calendaring the "due date".

Congrats! what do you do with all the ducklings do you sell them?

 

[DaisyMeadow]

I've had good luck selling them, trading them. Last year was our first year, so we were flock building. So we only now have to worry about keeping the flock small. We also have enough now that we can start sending some extras to freezer camp. (They're muscovies)

 

[chickkrzi]

Hi all, I'm new to ducks. Got some WH last October. Wife an I enjoy them very much. About a week ago we had one go broody. She had 14 eggs that I left inside there nest. Then a few days ago another duck joined her. I'm thinking I need to separate them, just not sure how to do it. I do have a small place I could lock one of them in with food an water just a few feet away.

But I've read that moving them may cause her to stop setting. Any ideals.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since there are 14 eggs why not let them brood together, that way if all 14 hatch or even 10-`12 the ducklings will have a much better chance at survival with having 2 mama's Most of the time if you move them they give up. But of course you could try.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I had 2 Old Ladies who "co-parented" and who brooded together.... It worked out great. Just watch them carefully for egg stealing. (Bcz then that can result in an ill timed hatch). I think they do it often and its fine.

ETA: P.S. They are so adorable!!!

 

[chickkrzi]

I would just LOVE to have them setting together. I did candle the eggs yesterday when they where out for a quick snack and bath. Had about half look to be about 7 days old. Great veining and seen a heart beat on a few. But the other half looked to be about day 4-5 in. Do you think that one might set the 3-4 days longer to hatch my late bloomers?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

She should be just fine, bcz Momma #1 will still be sitting pretty much even if hers hatch 4 days earlier. I bet they'll be just fine.