ADuckingMess
Hatching
- Apr 16, 2025
- 4
- 2
- 8
Hi everyone!
I have a female who couldn’t decide if she wanted to be broody or not. I let her set on a nest with no luck.
We successfully incubated ducklings and after they were nice and dry and had been shown where to get food and water, I introduced them to the maybe-I’ll-hatch-babies momma.
They instantly imprinted on her and moved to snuggle underneath. She seems… unsure. She has not pecked, pushed, or grabbed at any of the babies.
She has tolerated them but seems more interested in leading her normal life. They are in their own space, draft free, food, water, and a heat lamp incase it goes south.
All of that to ask: how did you successfully introduce ducklings?
How long did it take the momma to accept? What behavior indicated that it would be a cohesive fit? And, how did you decide on a momma hen that had not yet raised brood?
Honestly, if someone put seven newborns under me I’d probably be a little unsure too.
I have a female who couldn’t decide if she wanted to be broody or not. I let her set on a nest with no luck.
We successfully incubated ducklings and after they were nice and dry and had been shown where to get food and water, I introduced them to the maybe-I’ll-hatch-babies momma.
They instantly imprinted on her and moved to snuggle underneath. She seems… unsure. She has not pecked, pushed, or grabbed at any of the babies.
She has tolerated them but seems more interested in leading her normal life. They are in their own space, draft free, food, water, and a heat lamp incase it goes south.
All of that to ask: how did you successfully introduce ducklings?
How long did it take the momma to accept? What behavior indicated that it would be a cohesive fit? And, how did you decide on a momma hen that had not yet raised brood?
Honestly, if someone put seven newborns under me I’d probably be a little unsure too.
