Broody hen sitting on 4 duck eggs

[juliebell]

I have just placed 4 duck eggs under my broody hen what do i do now any ideas as i am new to this.

[MaureenHall]

Haven't a clue but I'll be really interested to find out!

Welcome to the madhouse and chookaholics anonymous

[Suechooks]

There was a thread on this a few months ago. I seem to remember they need more humidity than chook eggs as the mother duck would normally go in the water and come back wet!
There are a few folk who've done this - lets hope one of them comes along soon!

[juliebell]

Had to move broody hen n her duck eggs into another hut as the main coop is too high up and all the other chickens sleep in ther also, so put her in an enclosed hut n run on her own but she not happy i hope she settles soon n goes back to sitting on the eggs

[RichmondHens]

Duck eggs take 28 days to hatch compared to the usual 21 for hens. As long as the hen is sitting tight this shouldn't be a problem, unless she was broody for a while before you set her. Then she just might get off before time up. Some people recommend spraying duck eggs frequently to dampen them, as the duck would naturally do after a swim.

[juliebell]

checked on chook today and she is sitting on the eggs quite happily in her new abode.

[juliebell]

chook still sitting tight on duck eggs, she only comes off to feed and toilet and then goes back to them,s o looks like she may doing ok.

[Polly Fouracre]

Do remember that ducklings after a couple weeks of hatching will need water, deep enough to dip their heads, at least and then water deep enough to splash in. Then, when fully feathered a pond or similar.
I bought a child's sand-pit from the re-cycling centre which seems to keep mine happy. (Filled with water, of course!)

[juliebell]

thanks for the helpful tips, i suggested to my hubby a childs sand pit type thing for small pond aswell.

[juliebell]

day 20

broody hen still sitting tight on duck eggs, but keep nipping out of her nestin box to feed drink and poo. It has now been 20 days so hoping by end of week to see signs of life i can't wait

[juliebell]

have just returned from holiday to be the proud owner of 4 baby ducks they are soo cute have been watching them swim in a tray of water they learn so quick, dont know what the mother chicke thinks of them. Also have another broody hen so will try and get some more eggs to put under her.any tips for looking after baby ducklings greatly received.will post a pick when i get one

[dexterdoglancashire]

I have just placed 4 duck eggs under my broody hen what do i do now any ideas as i am new to this.

Sounds like Kaye earlier this week when the chap off ebay sent the wrong eggs by mistake! We quickly removed them and sent them on to the right person.

[juliebell]

update

ducklings are now 1 wk old and three have turned a blacky colour now the fourth still has some yellow patches . we have no idea what kind of ducks they are or what the final colouring will be. Surrogate chicken mum looking after them wellbut not sure what she thinking when they go in the water for a swim
will keep you sall updated

[juliebell]

pics of ducklings

first pic at 1wk old and other when 2wks old we have no idea what type of ducks they are so if you know please inform me and as to sex of ducks we have no idea yet but light one is called jemima so hope i got it right

[sqweek01]

They're so cute! I have two broody hens at the moment so am going to do the same as you. I've ordered some Aylesbury duck eggs.

The dark(wing) ducks could be Cayuga ducks which are black/irridescent green when fully grown, not sure on the yellow one.

Scroll right to the bottom of here for ducklings: http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/D...BRKCayuga.html

Regards

Clare