Hatching duck eggs with chickens

[Anne W]

I know it really isn't advisable but do you think I would be able to hatch a couple of call duck eggs with the chicken eggs I'm just about to put in the incy?

A friend suggested I put the duck eggs in for a few days before the chickens but I don't have that luxury as we need to go away for a few days, unexpectedly, at the end of the month so I need to get the incy going today so the chicks hatch before I go. I have been waiting for my call duck to lay and had given up so ordered some more chicken eggs - typical - she has laid 2 in the last couple of days.

What do you think? :?

 

[Davidd]

Hello, if you have a seperate hatcher then no problem- but i wouldn't hatch the chickens in the same incy as you are incubating your duck eggs in- just my opinion
regards, David

 

[Anne W]

I did Think that - thanks David.

 

[victorias poultry]

Apart from the difference in the amount of days duck eggs take to hatch you can have problems with the chicks pecking ducklings because they look different. Ducklings also need small trays of water to get their preen glands working once old enough, chicks can drown.

I keep mine seperate for this reason and go into seperate brooders.