Would she accept them?

[ducklover15]

My broody hen just hatched a few ducklings last night and I have 3 other ducklings in the brooder in the house. I hatched them from her eggs when she wasn't broody, so they're her babies.

I was wondering if I could somehow sneak the older babies with her? Would she accept them? They're only a week old, so they're not much bigger than the ones she has now, but if she would take them that would be much easier on me.

If it's really risky then I won't try at all but if there's a chance she might take them in, I'll give it a shot.

Any opinions?

 

[Jarhead]

Never done it with ducks, but have done it with chickens many times. It is about 50/50, and that is even with each little one. When offering several I have had them take them all "under their wing", just some, or none. Most of the time if the little ones look similar to the babies she already has it works better. I have also had them fool me, they will take them and take care of them for a few days, then suddenly turn on them without warning. So be careful and watch closely. Best time to give them to her is after dark, but make sure you are there watching at first light just in case. Ducks may be different, but I am sure it is pretty close. Good luck.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
By broody hen you mean broody duck? It is risky the duck and the older ones are not bonded except by blood. Some ducks will accept anything, others will kill their own babies as they hatch. You could give it a try but be ready to take them back if she doesn't accept them. What you didn't mention is that the babies are not imprinted on her. They may run from her and want nothing to do with her. it takes two to bond.

 

[Shared Acres]

With mine, it seemed to do good if her own kids JUST hatched, that way she was just learning their sounds, so some new ones with different sounds weren't that big of a deal.

 

[ducklover15]

Well I put the three ducklings in with Mamma yesterday and she's completely claimed them! It was so cute to watch. I carried one out at a time and as soon as she heard it peeping she came running up to the fence with her other babies to claim it.

It took the ducklings a little while to not be scared of her, but they recognized the other ducklings and pretty much copied their every movement.

I'm keeping a good eye on them, but I think they're Mamma's babies now. =]

 

[rainplace]

I wish I could have seen it. SO cute.

 

[Jarhead]

Great start! Hopefully she keeps it up. Make sure you watch close for a few days. Like I said after a few days I have seen the new mom try to run off and kill the "new" babies.

 

[streemers]

when i got my magpies from another BYC member the hen had just hatched some ducklings a few weeks before i got her.. my ducklings i already had where 2 or 3 weeks and that magpie hen chased them all over the yard for a few days trying to get them to love her. but every time she got close they ran off. now they are always together! my "ducklings" are now 8weeks and she still acts like mommy to them

really cute but they are almost bigger then her and i want some eggs