The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: twizzel on May 23, 2016, 10:13:57 am

Title: Duck gone broody
Post by: twizzel on May 23, 2016, 10:13:57 am

I have a duck sitting on a huge clutch of eggs- totally unexpected so she is still sat in the main duck house. I've not had any experience of ducks going broody- previously only hatched out under hens (not very successful, suspect due to humidity) and incubator.

Do I need to house the other 4 ducks in a separate house overnight? I don't want to move her but they could go into another house. I could add a run to the house she is sitting in to separate her completely but not sure if this is necessary. Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Duck gone broody
Post by: Marches Farmer on May 23, 2016, 10:57:13 am

If you want a hatch I'd be inclined to leave her where she is and move the rest.   I'd also provide her with a run, having watched a stoat pick off a hatch of 13 wild mallard ducklings on our pond over the course of two days.

Title: Re: Duck gone broody
Post by: twizzel on May 23, 2016, 03:30:31 pm

Good plan thanks, kind of confirms what I was thinking. My only worry with moving the others is it unsettles her that she can't run with them in the garden during the day as and when she pops out off the nest. I will move the run over later though and put the others into the other house. Thanks.