Will duck adopt older duckling?

[MerryMeridional]

I hatched 3 ducklings from our flock July 4th weekend. In a terrible accident, our dog killed 2. I have been trying to integrate the survivor with the flock as quickly as possible. We had a WH go broody the day the babies started hatching. I showed her the ducklings when they were a week old which seemed to break her broodiness. Maybe she thinks they hatched. She is very focused on the baby on the other side of the fence. I am going to give it a few days like this and then take out wannabe mom and baby away from the flock to get to know each other better.

Does this look like mom duck behavior to you? She just stares. She is close enough to attach thru the fence but doesn't attach or nip. Any advice?

 

[sourland]

I'd give it a try but would monitor closely. In my experience geese readily 'adopt' goslings, but I have no experience with ducks adopting ducklings.

 

[MerryMeridional]

I'd give it a try but would monitor closely. In my experience geese readily 'adopt' goslings, but I have no experience with ducks adopting ducklings.

Thanks for the reply. I will keep a close eye on the pair when I attempt to put them together. I'll be sure to update on how it goes. I have been noticing some new behaviors and dynamics with the Welsh harlequins now that the baby is around them. I am still learning what it all means. Our other ducks don't seem to care much.