Ducklings on the way. Could use some advice

[qwackers9]

I have a broody Pekin laying on approximately 9 eggs. She removed & destroyed 2 but they may have been unfertilized. To set the scene: Mama chose to nest in the lower level of chicken coop that has its own gate, which is inside the main pen for 4 other ducks + 6 chickens, so they are safe in that way. MotherGoose (her name) is completely blind in one eye & seems to have limited vision in the other. She tends to scare easily. Tho she is totally protective of her eggs. My main questions are....will I need to supply the first ducklings with any heat while others are still hatching? & How much space do they need? There's about 5 sq.ft. of coop floor when you subtract the nest, food, water. I'm worried about her stepping on the babies. I can relocate once they hatch, which I know I will do after they grow a little, but at first, the coop would stay warmer since it's small. I have some heat packs like the kind used for shipping. I thought about putting out one or two of them when it comes close to due date. She's been on eggs constantly since the 10th (exception few minutes/day) so the 8th would be 28 days. She was laying on the first 3-4 eggs a little for about 4 days before the 10th, but not a whole lot. So I'll be on watch by the 4th. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She will keep the ducklings warm. They will stay under her for a few days before start to emerge for food. I wouldn't add extra heat as it could make the duck hen uncomfortable.

Once they are done hatching, or 2-3 days after the first has hatched she will probably move off the nest. You can relocate her at that time. I find it's best to confine them for the first month otherwise the mom sometimes tries to wander too far with them, and doesn't always bring them back to the feed.

 

[qwackers9]

Great info.
I have a small concrete structure about 6x6 ft. It would give them much more space & the chickens could have their coop back. Plus it's safe for a heat lamp if needed. We are supposed to be having temps back down in the 40s at night but if mom does her thing, I shouldn't need it. I had read somewhere in the vast internet that sometimes mama won't let chicks that leave nest back around if she's still hatching so that's why I concerned about heat. This is her first time...I just hope she has some success after she's been so patient just sitting there week after week. Thanx for advice!

 

[qwackers9]

They can be confined to this other structure as well. But I probably will wait at least a week or two.