Momma Duck Not Sitting With Ducklings at Night

[BrandiDont]

I have a momma duck and her brood of eight 4-day old ducklings. Day one and half of two she sat with them in the nest to keep them warm without leaving once. I noticed she would stand a lot and pant, day and night, but she refused to leave the nest. Night temps got down to 65-ish and have hovered around there since. That first day got up to 85 but it’s been between 70 and 75 since. On day two I went out to offer her some help since she looked so distressed, showing the babies water and food, and babysat so she could eat, drink, and bathe. It’s her first clutch and she’s only a year old so I think she was just a little overwhelmed and wasn’t sure what to do next. That night, day 2, she slept with them in the nest and let them under and around her. But last night and tonight, days 3 and 4, she won’t sleep in the nest with them. She’s a good momma in every other way but now she just doesn’t really ever let them huddle underneath her. I watch her on the cameras I have and sit with them for a couple hours spread out each day. When the babies need warmth after a swim or simply a nap from their adventures she might let one or two cuddle up with her but if any more try she stands or moves. They all eventually huddle together and then she will always lay or stand right next to them, though. Even when the daytime temp was 70 and they had just had a swim the babies were a cozy temp cuddled up together. At night she stands guard making sure everyone has eaten and drank their fill, then after they make their way to the nest she lies directly in front of it to protect them. The shed they sleep in is warmer than outside, and her nest is still very insulated with her down and straw. Last night I went out and watched them closely to see if they would shiver, outside temp of 64, but they were snug and warm. She is very quick to respond if any so much as peep out of tone, so I imagine/hope she’d help if they cried from being too cold. Also, is it normal for mother hens to do this? Or is this behavior specific to her possibly because she is traumatized from overheating with them the first day? They seem warm enough to not be at risk at night like this when I’ve checked them, and even warm enough during the day when a little wet and the temps aren’t very high; so do they even need an alternative heat source at night? I’ve attached a picture of how they sleep during the days and night. I know they sleep tightly bunched, but I have felt them and watched them intently for a long time and they have never shivered.

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Gosh, how distressing. I know nothing about ducks, maybe
@Eggcessive, @Wyorp Rock, @azygous, @coach723

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

I have a momma duck and her brood of eight 4-day old ducklings. Day one and half of two she sat with them in the nest to keep them warm without leaving once. I noticed she would stand a lot and pant, day and night, but she refused to leave the nest. Night temps got down to 65-ish and have hovered around there since. That first day got up to 85 but it’s been between 70 and 75 since. On day two I went out to offer her some help since she looked so distressed, showing the babies water and food, and babysat so she could eat, drink, and bathe. It’s her first clutch and she’s only a year old so I think she was just a little overwhelmed and wasn’t sure what to do next. That night, day 2, she slept with them in the nest and let them under and around her. But last night and tonight, days 3 and 4, she won’t sleep in the nest with them. She’s a good momma in every other way but now she just doesn’t really ever let them huddle underneath her. I watch her on the cameras I have and sit with them for a couple hours spread out each day. When the babies need warmth after a swim or simply a nap from their adventures she might let one or two cuddle up with her but if any more try she stands or moves. They all eventually huddle together and then she will always lay or stand right next to them, though. Even when the daytime temp was 70 and they had just had a swim the babies were a cozy temp cuddled up together. At night she stands guard making sure everyone has eaten and drank their fill, then after they make their way to the nest she lies directly in front of it to protect them. The shed they sleep in is warmer than outside, and her nest is still very insulated with her down and straw. Last night I went out and watched them closely to see if they would shiver, outside temp of 64, but they were snug and warm. She is very quick to respond if any so much as peep out of tone, so I imagine/hope she’d help if they cried from being too cold. Also, is it normal for mother hens to do this? Or is this behavior specific to her possibly because she is traumatized from overheating with them the first day? They seem warm enough to not be at risk at night like this when I’ve checked them, and even warm enough during the day when a little wet and the temps aren’t very high; so do they even need an alternative heat source at night? I’ve attached a picture of how they sleep during the days and night. I know they sleep tightly bunched, but I have felt them and watched them intently for a long time and they have never shivered.

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@redinator Any ideas?

 

[redinator]

@redinator Any ideas?

Thanks for the tag, but I don't know ducks either. I haven't even dealt with a broody chicken hen, yet.

If it were me I'd stick a thermometer in the clutch of ducklings to get a reading, just to get a reading and see if they're warm enough.

Does the mother seem unwell in any way after the hatching?

 

[redinator]

With young chicks they huddle and break up if they get too warm and the coldest will worm it's way to the middle of the pile.

I'd give the mother a though looking over to see if there maybe reason she's too warm, other than the temperature . . . .check for a fever (no idea how) check for a retained egg . . . I don't what else too look for.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

It’s her first clutch and she’s only a year old so I think she was just a little overwhelmed and wasn’t sure what to do next.

It is 100% explaining why your duck is not the best mom... for the time being at least!

She will do better next time, so don't worry about it...!
(She is an Appleyard, right? They make great moms!)

Also, is it normal for mother hens to do this?

...Can happen with first-time moms...

They seem warm enough to not be at risk at night like this when I’ve checked them, and even warm enough during the day when a little wet and the temps aren’t very high; so do they even need an alternative heat source at night? I’ve attached a picture of how they sleep during the days and night. I know they sleep tightly bunched, but I have felt them and watched them intently for a long time and they have never shivered.

Huuuuh... For the time being, I would really not worry about your ducklings dying from cold : they seem to be fine.

First 3-4 days are the hardest for ducklings, but if no one has died from cold yet... none of them is at risk now.
Not with your current temperatures, at least!

(Ducklings are robust... really stronger than chicks.)

Do monitor them, but don't worry too much : if one was cold, you would notice it easily.
(A cold duckling appears weak on its legs, for one thing...!)

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome @BrandiDont . I am not very helpful with ducks, just chickens. There is also a duck forum under forums at the top of the page where you can post and be seen by more duck people. Here is the duck forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

Welcome @BrandiDont . I am not very helpful with ducks, just chickens. There is also a duck forum under forums at the top of the page where you can post and be seen by more duck people. Here is the duck forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

Looks like this is already posted to ducks...?

 

[BrandiDont]

Thanks for the tag, but I don't know ducks either. I haven't even dealt with a broody chicken hen, yet.

If it were me I'd stick a thermometer in the clutch of ducklings to get a reading, just to get a reading and see if they're warm enough.

Does the mother seem unwell in any way after the hatching?

Not unwell. She’s a very healthy girl. Maybe a little tired is all.

 

[BrandiDont]

Hi.



It is 100% explaining why your duck is not the best mom... for the time being at least!

She will do better next time, so don't worry about it...!
(She is an Appleyard, right? They make great moms!)



...Can happen with first-time moms...



Huuuuh... For the time being, I would really not worry about your ducklings dying from cold : they seem to be fine.

First 3-4 days are the hardest for ducklings, but if no one has died from cold yet... none of them is at risk now.
Not with your current temperatures, at least!

(Ducklings are robust... really stronger than chicks.)

Do monitor them, but don't worry too much : if one was cold, you would notice it easily.
(A cold duckling appears weak on its legs, for one thing...!)

Thank you for some peace of mind. I’ve fretted over these ducklings and would’ve placed a heat source without question had they seemed just the least bit distressed. (She squished two of her first hatchlings so I took the next two in that were actively hatching and they stay inside with me at night as one needs antibiotics for a few more days. These 8 babies I hatched in the incubator and replaced them once they were mobile and not in as much danger of being crushed. So I’ve been sort of a helicopter duck mom so to speak.) Mostly I have never seen this behavior and didn’t know if I should worry. She’s not exhibiting like she’s abandoning them, just maybe stretched too thin like a new, overwhelmed, single mom.

She is an Appleyard! And she is by far my biggest, heftiest girl. She was so diligent about sitting on her eggs. She even stole her sisters eggs (which is why she had two different hatch days in her clutch), her instinct is strong. The babies are all very strong and doing well. They’re all very similar size and activity, doing all the duck things momma does, they eat their starter well and their legs look strong too.

Thank you for the advice!