Any Muscovy Mule's offspring out there?

[ZacharyQuack]

Hi again everyone, her nest is in between a massive thorny rose bush so I can't really get to them. (will try to cut the bush down maybe! to get to the eggs)

She got off her nest earlier than usual today and hasn't gone back to it, I assume that she gave up on them. She is still broody, and only willing to eat and drink from a certain spot in a certain way.

The mule ducks and actually "Hinnies", their mum is a small white muscovy.

Here is pic of the trio (before she went broody)

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! We're happy to have you with us!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Hi again everyone, her nest is in between a massive thorny rose bush so I can't really get to them. (will try to cut the bush down maybe! to get to the eggs)

She got off her nest earlier than usual today and hasn't gone back to it, I assume that she gave up on them. She is still broody, and only willing to eat and drink from a certain spot in a certain way.

The mule ducks and actually "Hinnies", their mum is a small white muscovy.

View attachment 2994516
Here is pic of the trio (before she went broody)

If male, still considered sterile. If female, they can lay eggs, but are not able to hatch.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/mule-ducks.html

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-...ter/programs/duck-research-lab/domestic-ducks

Broody muscovy don't care if the eggs are fertile or not and will sit to hatch. Your chances are so slim (like at zero) for those eggs to be fertile, that I would deny her access to the area. If at all possible, destroy the nest. She will exhibit broodiness for a week or two after, but eventually will cool off.

 

[ZacharyQuack]

If male, still considered sterile. If female, they can lay eggs, but are not able to hatch.
https://www.metzerfarms.com/mule-ducks.html

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-...ter/programs/duck-research-lab/domestic-ducks

Broody muscovy don't care if the eggs are fertile or not and will sit to hatch. Your chances are so slim (like at zero) for those eggs to be fertile, that I would deny her access to the area. If at all possible, destroy the nest. She will exhibit broodiness for a week or two after, but eventually will cool off.

Thanks for your reply, I don't think she goes back to the nest area at all. Her 1st nest that we found was somewhere else easier to access but she noticed we took her eggs so she didn't use that site again. It is her 2nd nest this time. What could happen if nest is not destroyed? She is still looking broody like you mentioned, but she is hanging with these hinnies again just like the photo.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Thanks for your reply, I don't think she goes back to the nest area at all. Her 1st nest that we found was somewhere else easier to access but she noticed we took her eggs so she didn't use that site again. It is her 2nd nest this time. What could happen if nest is not destroyed? She is still looking broody like you mentioned, but she is hanging with these hinnies again just like the photo.

Since the eggs are most likely infertile, the eggs will rot. If she continues to sit on them, they will still rot, but being broody is taxing on their well being. She will sit until she hatches which could be detrimental. It's just not a good practice to let a duck or any bird sit on a nest that will not produce hatchlings.
I have fertile eggs, but don't let my ducks hatch as I don't have room for more. I gather the eggs every day and if/when they are broody, I just block off their nest area. Sometimes, it takes weeks and a lot of different tactics to break their broodiness.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

We have a duck forum here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

 

[ZacharyQuack]

Since the eggs are most likely infertile, the eggs will rot. If she continues to sit on them, they will still rot, but being broody is taxing on their well being. She will sit until she hatches which could be detrimental. It's just not a good practice to let a duck or any bird sit on a nest that will not produce hatchlings.
I have fertile eggs, but don't let my ducks hatch as I don't have room for more. I gather the eggs every day and if/when they are broody, I just block off their nest area. Sometimes, it takes weeks and a lot of different tactics to break their broodiness.

I spent several hours looking for her nest before she actually went broody but failed (we were really wanting some eggs). By the time we found it was when she was sitting on them for a week already, we heard a hiss when we stood by the thorny rose bush then we realised we got close to her nest. She is eating and drinking well but still walking funny, and no longer sitting in the nest.

 

[drumstick diva]

Agree with Crazy Maisie - not good to let any bird sit on a nest that wouldn't have viable
hatchlings.