A doomed clutch?

[Frank Phinster]

Hello Everybody,

My muscovy duck has been sitting on a clutch of runner and pekin eggs for about four weeks and hatch is due. I haven't seen her outside the shed since yesterday ( she usually dashes out when I feed them lettuce) and when I gave her some food today she immediatly started to eat so I assume that she hasn't left the nest all day. That made me believe that ducklings might actually be in the process of hatching, but quite a lot has gone wrong: First, the eggs started to disappear, from eight down to three, this night the nest got trampled by her flock mates but the eggs remained intact and she is still sitting on them, although two of them keep rolling away from what is left of the nest into a corner. She tries to put them back into nest, but they still keep rolling out and right now she tries to cover them with her chest but I'm not sure whether that provides the eggs with sufficient warmth. Also, when she stands up, an unpleasant smell seems to come from the nest, which I can only smell when she stands up so I am certain that it does come from the nest, if not from the eggs themselves...

I don't want to rob the nest now and maybe kill what may still hatch, but I think it's all forlorn hope.

What do you think?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hello Everybody,

My muscovy duck has been sitting on a clutch of runner and pekin eggs for about four weeks and hatch is due. I haven't seen her outside the shed since yesterday ( she usually dashes out when I feed them lettuce) and when I gave her some food today she immediatly started to eat so I assume that she hasn't left the nest all day. That made me believe that ducklings might actually be in the process of hatching, but quite a lot has gone wrong: First, the eggs started to disappear, from eight down to three, this night the nest got trampled by her flock mates but the eggs remained intact and she is still sitting on them, although two of them keep rolling away from what is left of the nest into a corner. She tries to put them back into nest, but they still keep rolling out and right now she tries to cover them with her chest but I'm not sure whether that provides the eggs with sufficient warmth. Also, when she stands up, an unpleasant smell seems to come from the nest, which I can only smell when she stands up so I am certain that it does come from the nest, if not from the eggs themselves...

I don't want to rob the nest now and maybe kill what may still hatch, but I think it's all forlorn hope.

What do you think?

All may not be lost Frank. I'd give her a few days to see if any hatch, You have to give her credit for sticking to it with all that has happened to her eggs and nest. Did you give her extra bedding that may help especially after they hatch.

 

[Frank Phinster]

Thank you for your reply, Miss Lydia

I am giving her lots of credit, she is really a remarkable mum...When I checked at her just a few minutes ago I found out that she made her nest to fit into the corner so that the eggs that roll into it stay well protected under her. Hatching ducklings should now be able to move around in the nest without falling into a gap.
Also, I am now putting the young drakes into the front compartment of the shed. Unfortunately the guy who wanted to buy them bailed out of the bargain when the duck was already firmly sitting on her new clutch and I refused to take out eggs that were already developing.
Now there is more space in the back of the shed so trampling hopefully becomes more unlikely now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for your reply, Miss Lydia

I am giving her lots of credit, she is really a remarkable mum...When I checked at her just a few minutes ago I found out that she made her nest to fit into the corner so that the eggs that roll into it stay well protected under her. Hatching ducklings should now be able to move around in the nest without falling into a gap.
Also, I am now putting the young drakes into the front compartment of the shed. Unfortunately the guy who wanted to buy them bailed out of the bargain when the duck was already firmly sitting on her new clutch and I refused to take out eggs that were already developing.
Now there is more space in the back of the shed so trampling hopefully becomes more unlikely now.

Keep us updated on progress and hope you see some ducklings soon.

 

[Frank Phinster]

Now I have to rely on my parents for news because I am in Hesse ( where my university is) but I instructed them what to do.

But I will keep you updated

 

[Going Quackers]

YOu sound like my hatches.. chaotic and full of drama lol Honestly, all may not be lost, it's sounding stable overall, and this is coming from somebody who ended up with a nest of 10 drop to 4 and two of those we did! one wasn't even out of the egg.

All 4 that did survive have gone on now to be healthy normal, babies.. (3wks old)

 

[Harleysflock]

I have some trouble with my latest clutch too. My Muscovy duck was sitting on 14 eggs. A critter came along and now im down to 7 eggs. Mama duck just abandoned the eggs so I have to self incubate. Any advice?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have some trouble with my latest clutch too. My Muscovy duck was sitting on 14 eggs. A critter came along and now im down to 7 eggs. Mama duck just abandoned the eggs so I have to self incubate. Any advice?

Have you tried setting the eggs inside their house in a nicely made nest to see if any one takes up the brooding? Letting ducks brood out in the open with out protection is just asking for trouble.

 

[Harleysflock]

I only have one female duck. I tried to keep them in their house in a nest for an hour or so but I couldn't let them get cold.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I only have one female duck. I tried to keep them in their house in a nest for an hour or so but I couldn't let them get cold.

Well guess time to fire up the bator.