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Muscovy duck off the nest at night day 17 - chances of eggs surviving? UPDATE! Ducklings hatching!

3K views 45 replies 4 participants last post by  Sylie 
#1 ·
Hi. I have a handful of muscovies. I am letting one sit on a nest of 5 eggs. Last night, I put a divider between her and the other ducks. It was a thin divider - just something so she didn't get upset by one of the other ducks who she detests atm. I lock my ducks up at night and they have to share space with the broody.
Anyway, there was an apparent scuffle and she was off the nest - I'm guessing most of the night. The divider fell and covered the nest. Yesterday would be around day 17. Is there any chance the eggs are still viable?
She is back sitting this morning. Just wondering if I should destroy the nest or let her continue to sit.
Thanks.
 
#38 ·
Good thinking. I will get that set up tonight.
I think he's considered a chocolate pied. He's got a black body with some brown and a white head.
The ducklings came from a collection of eggs of the 3 hens I have. So they could potentially all have different moms. All 3 of the hens are similar in appearance. They are also sisters.
I think the all yellow one should be a white muscovy, the one with a cap will most likely be white too, but with a cap. Not sure what color the brown headed one will be.
I love watching muscovy ducklings change into their adult looks.
Just hoping these aren't all males. That would be sad for me.
 
#37 ·
I apologize if I wasn't clear, let me try to straighten this out a bit.
they should have food and water near them at all times during the day, even in the coop until they are big enough to go get it themselves. Momma will call them to the food if she feels they aren't getting enough. You can remove the food and water from the coop at night, they won't need it at night but make sure you have fresh clean food and water waiting for them when you let them out in the morning. There is no age on this part of the information, this is from hatch to death.

Momma will usually lead them to swim around three days old, if you don't have anything for them to swim in you should find something that is shallow and big enough for all 3 of them to be in at the same time. The water should not be any deeper than their hips until they get mostly feathered. Make sure that their water bowl/dish/container is not deep enough or big enough for them to try to swim in, they will try. Watch for them to come out of the "pool" to make sure that they get dried off okay, Momma should help, if not, you may need to towel them.
Poultry Judge mentioned the use of a heavy ashtray for their water dish, that is fine for now but be prepared to find them standing in it lol They will be trying to "swim" in it. It also won't be enough water for them to drink for more than a few days, they drink a lot...and by drink I mean, splash it everywhere, dribble down their chests onto their feet, make mud puddles. They are like little children, gotta stomp in the mud puddles!
 
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#39 ·
I apologize if I wasn't clear, let me try to straighten this out a bit.
they should have food and water near them at all times during the day, even in the coop until they are big enough to go get it themselves. Momma will call them to the food if she feels they aren't getting enough. You can remove the food and water from the coop at night, they won't need it at night but make sure you have fresh clean food and water waiting for them when you let them out in the morning. There is no age on this part of the information, this is from hatch to death.

Momma will usually lead them to swim around three days old, if you don't have anything for them to swim in you should find something that is shallow and big enough for all 3 of them to be in at the same time. The water should not be any deeper than their hips until they get mostly feathered. Make sure that their water bowl/dish/container is not deep enough or big enough for them to try to swim in, they will try. Watch for them to come out of the "pool" to make sure that they get dried off okay, Momma should help, if not, you may need to towel them.
Poultry Judge mentioned the use of a heavy ashtray for their water dish, that is fine for now but be prepared to find them standing in it lol They will be trying to "swim" in it. It also won't be enough water for them to drink for more than a few days, they drink a lot...and by drink I mean, splash it everywhere, dribble down their chests onto their feet, make mud puddles. They are like little children, gotta stomp in the mud puddles!
I brooded my ducks when they were ducklings so I totally understood. I just misunderstood the 3 days comment. But part of that confusion came from reading part of the thread in the morning and the other part at lunch.
 
#44 ·
She took them back to the coop. She had them out while I was at work today too - my husband took pics of her out with the ducklings. By the time I got home, she had them back in the coop.
I'm not sure how long she had them out earlier, but this evening she had them out almost the whole time I was doing chores. It takes me about an hour. She walked them around the shed, around the run, back around the shed, and finally into the run and coop. She got mad and stomped her feet at them when they were doing something they shouldn't. It was kind of funny.
I'm a little concerned as the fall brings the hawks. So, I'm going to have to keep an eye out and then maybe it's time to lock everyone in the run,
 
#46 ·
Oh Maizie, they are so adorable! They will grow fast now but you will definitely have to watch for hawks, if there isn't anyone home to watch them I would suggest locking them up.
 
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