hatched out a dozen. Somehow she wound up raising all 14, and she is doing a great job so far. Fingers crossed for lots of girls!
She hatched 6 days later. What a difference is size. Unfortunately her small size has made her a target for not only the older ducklings but for Mom. I am building a grow-out area for ducklings who hatch late or early. I am also considering other duck breeds with stronger maternal instincts. It's hard watching the littlest ones get rejected or neglected by their Moms. Any suggestions?How tiny, was the duckling a later hatch, I haven't been able to stay updated much in the last 2 weeks having 3 teen grankids here. and love the guardian angel great you were able to catch it in a pic.
Ours free range during the day and she does a great job protecting them from crows, other ducks in the flock, the little boy next door, you name it
What a precious pic, and thank you for the info on Cayugas being great moms, someone looking for this can now research them. and
Sounds like the grow out pen might be your only choice, we can't do anything about these ducks who don't have the mothering instinct I have had a few too. Watching the neglected ones helps but that can be a 24hr job too. When mine don't do well in the mothering department I give them one more chance especially being first timers, if second time they still don't get it they don't get to brood again.
They look great zook.Here is my Muscovy duck taking her 10 ducklings for a walk in the duck pen. They are 3 days old today. Another Chocolate duck has just gone broody on 19 eggs. I watched the drake during the little excursion and he didn't even look at them but I will be watching him.I know the ducklings change color alot as they grow but I think there are 2 chocolates & whites there. As daddy is a chocolate carrier and some of the eggs are from my chocolate girl.
