Duck eggs under broody hen?

[chickadoodle]

Hi
Each year atleast one of my chickens goes broody. The man I bought my indian runner ducks from told me I can put fertilised duck eggs under a broody hen. Is this true? Also if it is possible - Should the chicks be removed from broody when born? Or will she raise them as her own? I am not thinking about doing this over the winter period!!

 

[foxy]

Yes you can, and a broody hen will raise ducklings very well, I have used broody hens many times for ducklings!

 

[daniellesdogs]

i know people that have done this. ducks seem to grow faster than chicks so wont be long befor they off

 

[Anonymous]

I have done just this. My broody hen very successfully hatched three Indian Runner duck eggs and the ducklings have thrived from Day 1. She now loathes them and if they come anywhere near her she flies at them! But she was a very good mothr for the first 4 - 5 weeks and protected them fiercely from the other ducks. I think she was just very disappointed at the way they turned out - they didn't look anything like her!

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Yes this is fine.... the funny thing is watching the hen panic when her ducklings decide they want to swim!!!

 

[foxy]

Yes this is fine.... the funny thing is watching the hen panic when her ducklings decide they want to swim!!!

Bit like this!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnq0D9As_Ek[/youtube]

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Brilliant Foxy! Lovely set up you have there!!!