Yam
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Yam on Dec 10, 2008 19:19:18 GMT 8
Hey yah all! I was wondering if anyone has had a broody hen raise ducklings.... My little pekin bantam has fallen broody on a bunch of eggs 2 weeks ago, so i immediately removed all the eggs and replaced them with some infertile ones (wasn't ready for more chookies!!) I realised i had made a mistake after a week and had placed a muscovy egg from the yard (was in the fridge with the infertile eggs) under her with the infertile ones...silly me - don't ask how!! The large egg now has a big 2 wk old bub growing quite nicely in it and i don't want the hen to reject the bub when (if) it hatches... Any suggestions or advice? Will the bub hatch properly under the little hen? Has anyone had a hen brood ducklings? Oh and if she does accept it, should i get another baby duckling for them? Thanks, Yam xx
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Post by fluffychook on Dec 11, 2008 7:27:41 GMT 8
lol Yam As for the duck egg, it happens more often than you may think that people use broody hens to incubate and raise ducklings. I saw a picture on BYP of a hen watching her larger in size than her swimming in a pool. Apparently they can get quite frantic when their 'chicks' go swimming. Ducks are very social animals and it would be better if you could get another duckling that would be better.
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Post by mikemurphy on Dec 11, 2008 7:42:53 GMT 8
Haven't done it with ducks but I use a silkie regularly to hatch guinea fowl eggs. The guineas themselves are lousy mothers. The silkie doesn't seem to know the difference and even after they have grown the guineas still seem to regard her as Mum.
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Yam
Junior Member
Posts: 67
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Post by Yam on Dec 11, 2008 10:27:21 GMT 8
Thanks a bundle!! and now the question is... where can i get a day old bubby duck on christmas day??? (pekin or khaki campbell preferably...) Oh and any suggestions on a good layer which will be happy to hang with muscovies...?? thanks Mike & Fluf! x
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Post by fluffychook on Dec 11, 2008 10:45:44 GMT 8
I have some dark campbell ducklings due on 27th if that is any help. Great layers, but do not know how they go with muscovies.
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