The Pearsons Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I will be looking after my friend's smallholding next week and the week after. The chickens and hens are fine - I have hens and the pigs are easy to look after. She also has call ducks - and one of the ducks is sitting on eggs. The eggs are due to hatch when they are away. What do I do? It's the first time my friend has had ducks as well so she can't tell me The duck is sitting on a nest in the hedge but ideally we would like to move her and the ducklings to a house on an island in their lake...... Any ideas about what I should do? And what do ducklings eat? Do we need to get crumbs or will mama duck show the ducklings everything they need to know? Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I cant really help but GoonerGirl and Lesley both have ducks so im sure one of them will be along soon with some great advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 I'm sure your friend will have everything sorted out for you. I don't think you'll have to much extra for them except of course the food query and I'm sure someone can answer that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 Hi Helen You will need some chick crumb for the ducklings - if you or your friend can't get hold of any then just crush some layers or growers pellets until you can get hold of some. Don't give ducks mash as it clogs up their nostrils because of the way they feed. You won't need to do anything - the duck will look after her little ones perfectly well. Although - some people say that ducks don't always make the best mothers so just keep an eye out in case she abandons them. If she does, put them in a box and come back here and shout - loudly! Ar e they safe under the hedge? If they are then leave them and after a couple of days when the Mum has waterproofed their feathers, she will probably take them ove r to the little island. If they're not safe then wait a couple of days after hatching if you can, and then move them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 Thank you for the reassurance..... I'm still nervous of losing the lot of them but since my friend has lost the last two clutches (one to a predator and one clutch was abandoned) she isn't expecting anything. It's just a shame she'll be away on the "due date". My friend has put a shelter around the duck on the nest so they are as safe as they can be. Her husband is going to build a duck shelter on the island for duck and chicks. I have hen layer pellets so it will be easy to crush those. I have a very little experience of putting day old hen chicks into a "hot box" but have never dealt with ducks or ducklings before, except to witness a duck and ducklings being escorted from the top of the tower of a well known castle tower and re-installed in the castle garden! The dozy duck used to nest in the same place every year and every year there was the same pantomine in getting her and her offspring to a more suitable place. It should be fun... Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted July 7, 2007 Author Share Posted July 7, 2007 Mama duck is still sitting tight on her nest........ Nothing seems to bother her... not even the very noisy pigs in the next field! There is now a house and run with food and water next to her all ready and waiting. Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Sounds good Helen We've got ducklings due to hatch next weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
