Mama duck not accepting baby

[Hball]

I had a duck hatch several eggs and one of them cracked and was bloody, it eventually hatched out and was lifeless and the mama duck was stepping all over it. So, I put it in the incubator for several days and it wouldn’t stand but just twitch its legs. Finally it started standing so I put it in a tote under heat lamp and now it’s running around and as healthy as can be at 2 weeks old. So I decided to put it with the mama duck and other 4 babies (they are a little bigger than the one I took in) but now she and the babies keep chasing it around until it goes into a corner away from them. They won’t let it under the heat lamp or in the coop (coop is in a 10x10 dog kennel). I’m not sure if I should leave the duckling out there and see if they integrate or if I need to bring it back in so it doesn’t get too cold. The duckling is hers so I figured she would recognize that it is but maybe not?

Help with any advice!

 

[Hball]

@Miss Lydia @Quatie @cheezenkwackers @Canadian Wind any advice?

 

[Canadian Wind]

After two weeks, Mom will most likely *not* recognize the baby as hers. Unless she has an abundance of maternal instincts (I've had moms gather ALL the babies in the yard) this doesn't look like she'll accept it.

Add to that you put a 'stranger' in her 'territory'. I think the best thing to do is to raise the little one yourself, maybe take one of the other ducklings to keep it company.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There is a short window of when a mama will accept a duckling back I have seen it here and it has to be less than a week. I would take it and raise it inside then once feathered in set it up next to the family and give them all time to get used to one another before letting the little one be with the flock for good. Take it out daily when nice and warm but stay close so it doesn't get picked on. Letting another of the ducklings live with this one will help also when you get ready to integrate them into the flock

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I agree with both of the others. I have raised single ducklings and then integrated them into the flock very slowly with good success.

 

[Jenbirdee]

yes i think do what @Canadian Wind said i would try taking one of the other babies to be with this one

 

[ruthhope]

Absolutely take it back to raise it, but also take one or two of the other ducklings back with it.

The duckling needs ducky company and will be easier to reintegrate in the future if it thinks its a duck not a human. [Don't ask me how I know!]

 

[Hball]

Ok I will try to get one of the other ducklings to put with it but me and mama are going to have to wrestle to get one… she’s pretty protective of them!

 

[Hball]

So I put one of the other babies in with the small one but it is double its size and trying to attack it. I guess my only option is to get it feathered and slowly introduce to 19 other ducks…… somehow….

 

[Canadian Wind]

Can you keep them together but with a screen between them, until they get used to each other?