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Farming Friends Forum » Ducks

1. alexhovorka
   Member

   Hello, I'm new and I specifically sought out a good forum because my black runner is sitting on 12 eggs right now and I'm not entirely sure what to do. I've read a bit about how to let her take care of her own but I had a couple questions.

   She is in the same yard and hutch (at night) with 7 other birds (2 males, 5 females) and in the same yard with 1 male muscovy and 2 females. Is it safe to let her raise her chicks with the other ducks around or should I pen her off?

   Also when it comes to food, I've seen a couple recipe's for homegrown duckling food but that seemed to be for when you're raising them not a duck. Should I just let her find them food or feed them out of her dish or should I put special food in for them?

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. quackers1984
   Member

   your in the same boat as me, my jemima is sitting on 8 eggs in her house, she lives with 3 females and 2 drakes. i would have thought the others would accept the babies and mother duck would protect them? being a domestic duck i would have thought chick crumbs would be the right food as there isnt as much food available in a garden as there is in the wild?? although then you have the problem of babies eating the adult food and adults eating the chick crumbs, maybe penning them on their own with mother is a wise move for safety, and i worry about cats catching tiny babies. hmmm i havent been much help have I, im sure the other farming friends can help as i also have no experience with ducks and their own offspring, i have 2 ducklings but theyre living in the house with us until theyre big enough to move home!!

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. Lorna
   Member

   Hi Alexhovorka,

   I had a little call duck sitting recently and she stayed in the same house as the other 3, I just moved them out a few days before the eggs were due to hatch.

   You can get water fowl crumbs which are specifically for ducklings. Some of the chick crumbs are medicated and this is not good for ducks.

   If you do a google search of duck crumbs there is one called Just Natural and it is available mail order. Thre are other ones made by smallholder which are 20kg bags.

   Best Wishes with your hatch

   Lorna

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. campbell ridge
   Administrator

   Hi Alex. my white campbell raised a brood of 12 ducklings last summer. She stayed in her corner of the mixed shed (7'x5') and the other 5 all went in and out quietly, leaving her to it. She took them all outside on day 2 when they were all fluffed and dry and showed them where and what to eat and to drink. (chick crumb and shallow water or in a drinker.) The also paddled in a plastic tea tray. in the coming days she will also show them how to look for insects in the grass and to catch flies etc.
   have a look at my posts for a bit more info
   http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=782

   Sarah L

   Posted 1 year ago #

5. alexhovorka
   Member

   Thanks this is extremely helpful. The males fight a bit and it's not the biggest hutch. Do you think that would be a problem?

   Posted 1 year ago #

6. campbell ridge
   Administrator

   Yes it will be a problem. Move the males out. She will become distressed and they may trample the eggs and if theres not enough room now, there definitely won't be when the eggs hatch. If she has a "partner" or a best female friend, leave them in there with her if they want to stay - but buy, beg, borrow or steal another coop for the others and move them out asap.
   Some males will also kill ducklings so you are going to have to be very vigilant and make new arrangements if you really want her to brood.

   Sarah L

   Posted 1 year ago #

7. alexhovorka
   Member

   Done.

   Posted 1 year ago #

8. Mama
   Member

   Good for you Alex, have read both posts and do hope your lovely duck will hatch some eggs for you . Hope you don't have a critter eating the eggs as that is a worry .Mama

   Goose Girl

   Posted 1 year ago #

9. alexhovorka
   Member

   Well like I said there's no sign of the eggs left and the only animal that could squeeze its way into the hutch is a mouse so I'm pretty sure I'm good with the separation.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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