Welsh Harlequins

[southerlynn]

Our girls, Dotty and Dorsey, are finally laying eggs. Dotty is up to 15, and Dotty is up to 4. Drake is still with them, but we would like to know, how soon should we separate him from the nest? This is our first time with them, and though we have read many articles, we trust personal experience to be educational. For those that have bred, how soon did you separate them? Did your Drake go after the duckling immediately? The girl are only 6 months old, so we don't know how maternal they will actually be. Any advice, or experience, pics, etc... we would love to have.

Thanks!!

 

[Amiga]

I cannot offer experience, but want to say congratulations!

From anything I have read here, it is going to be unpredictable so watching carefully seems to be key. Some drakes are excellent, protecting the brood, others go after the ducklings. Same with mothers. I pray you have good duck parents and that if not, you are able to see warning signs and separate the ducklings from either or both parents if necessary, before any injury.