The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: fifixx on May 06, 2010, 07:33:28 pm
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I have 4 ducks and a drake - Aylesburys - which are laying. this morning I found one of my hens has gone broody...So - can I put the duck eggs under her and hatch them? I'm sure life is not this easy!
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Yes , some people actually prefer a hen broody to a duck mother. They are better mothers as they let chicks eat first etc. Watch the mother panic when the ducklings go to water :) Dont overload the hen though she will need to cover them all well as extra heat and moisture she will have to provide.
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Many people I know say that hens make far better mothers than ducks.
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Yup, I've done it twice. Mummy hen is very caring, and goes absolutely spare if the 'chick' goes anywhere near water! So I kept mine away from the duck pond till they were a good few weeks old.
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So how long does the hen sit on the eggs and is it difficult to get her off to eat and drink?
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Iv'e got two duck eggs under a hen which are due to hatch any time now. How long can a duckling go before it has to be introduced to water?
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I read somewhere that says ducklings should not swim before 9/12 weeks or until they have their feathers. I let any I hatch swim after 24 hours and have never had a problem. So, if you believe that you have a fair amount of time before you have to worry.
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I let mine have access to a little pool when I know they are fit and healthy. Wild ducks and the geese take theirs straight to water. I think the age 9/12 weeks may be indoor ducklings that dont dry off as quick as outdoor ones. As long as they can get their bills into a water source to preen and keep their nostrils clean, each to his own.