Broody Duck Dilemma

[cheekylittleb]

Muscovy Duck has been sitting on eggs for over 40 days what is the best action to take, Do i leave the duck alone or remove her from the nest?

 

[monathequeen]

I'm pretty sure that it only takes 28 days for ducklings to hatch....if she has been sitting that long and no babys...they're dead eggs !!!
God help you if they explode under her.....I would get rid of them ASAP and give her a much needed break....let us know what you decide...Bye

 

[Riven]

Move her off the nest and take away the eggs, then destroy the nest.

If you want to let her hatch something out you can try to find some chick or duck eggs that are good and about ready to hatch and slip one or two under her.

 

[Scott]

28 days for most ducks, 26-27 for call ducks, 35 days for muscovies. As long as you counted the days correctly, I'd say none of the eggs are viable.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

35-38 days for Muscovies. That is, sitting on the nest full time minus a quick daily break. I miss counted my first time around and thought they were 1wk late but was glad I waited since they hatched out on what I thought was day 44. Good luck on your decision.

 

[taraann81]

I would do a few things. When she gets off her nest I would quickly candle a few eggs(if you are comfortable with candleing ). If your not confident with your candleing abilities I would sniff a couple eggs.

If you don't want to do either just give it a bit longer. My 'scovy took 40 days to hatch her first brood this year and I heard that someone else had a duck on a nest for 45 days this spring who hatched out ducklings fine. If they don't stink I would give it a few more days, you really have nothing to lose at this point and if they don't stink chances are they won't explode.

This is all of course assuming you have a drake. If you don't have a drake, toss the eggs!

Good luck!

 

[monathequeen]

I didn't know how long it took certain ducks.........from all the different replys, most likely, the eggs may be fine.
If they have a rotten smell, get rid of those eggs. I threw out a chick egg once that I thought had expired...Big mistake. It was alive and well. It's always best to leave the darn eggs alone I have learned.

I would not wait more than 50 days.....VERY TOUGH Decision.....

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Muscovies take an extra week 35 days not 28! Thanks for you Expert advise. Most ducks know when they are setting on bad eggs and roll them out of the nest.

 

[goosedragon]

Muscovy ducks can be deceptive at the start of the brood period they will sit in the nest without actually setting on the eggs. In other words the eggs are not getting the body contact they need to brood. This is much more common in cool (below 60 degree) weather. In very hot weather they will stand over the nest and shade it from the sun with body and wings so they don't start brooding before she is ready. If the bird has hatched before, trust her. If a new mama she might try to hatch infertile or dead eggs which you may have to remove. If you remove eggs, pick them up carefully through a plastic bag so if they break or explode the mess is confined to the bag.

 

[cheekylittleb]

Thanks very much for all the advise, I will try leaving her for a bit longer and see what she does.