A bit of a back story: I had a duck (No. 1) setting on some eggs for a few days until a voraciously broody hen (one of Coopslave's Marans/Chants) took over the nest and would not budge!! So the duck decided to set another batch of eggs and is now safely ensconced in a box stall where she won't get marauded.
So duck No. 2 had hatched a brood a while back and they did not survive.
She has been out and about for a while now.
So, today saw 6 ducklings hatch under the Tyrannosaurus Chant, with another few eggs left to go. I found her protecting 6 dry ducklings a ways away from the nest.
So I stole the ducklings and caught Duck No. 2 and put them all in the safe boxstall with food and water and shavings. T.Chant immediately returned to the couple of remaining eggs which may be duds. Duck No. 2 was staring at the ducklings in the boxstall, very interested, but had not run over to brood them by the time I left them earlier. I am hoping they bond.
Anyone - what are my chances? Should I prepare a brooder box with heat? How long can I leave this situation if she hasn't bonded with them in a couple of hours? I don't want to head into nightfall with the 6 ducklings depending on their own body heat, yet I'm reluctant to barge in there if surrogate Mama is just about to jump in there!
I'm heading out there now for a look. It's been about 2 hours that they've been out there together in the peace and quiet, and I hope to find Maternal bliss when I check, but if it's not happened yet, should I grab them??
So duck No. 2 had hatched a brood a while back and they did not survive.
![Crying or Very sad](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_cry.gif)
So, today saw 6 ducklings hatch under the Tyrannosaurus Chant, with another few eggs left to go. I found her protecting 6 dry ducklings a ways away from the nest.
So I stole the ducklings and caught Duck No. 2 and put them all in the safe boxstall with food and water and shavings. T.Chant immediately returned to the couple of remaining eggs which may be duds. Duck No. 2 was staring at the ducklings in the boxstall, very interested, but had not run over to brood them by the time I left them earlier. I am hoping they bond.
Anyone - what are my chances? Should I prepare a brooder box with heat? How long can I leave this situation if she hasn't bonded with them in a couple of hours? I don't want to head into nightfall with the 6 ducklings depending on their own body heat, yet I'm reluctant to barge in there if surrogate Mama is just about to jump in there!
I'm heading out there now for a look. It's been about 2 hours that they've been out there together in the peace and quiet, and I hope to find Maternal bliss when I check, but if it's not happened yet, should I grab them??