Broody Muscovy Duck

[laurabr]

I have a broody muscovy duck (only 8 months old) sitting on 10 eggs -- her first time. I have 2 drakes and 3 ducks along with 2 roosters and 14 hens. She is safe inside her stall in the barn only exposed to one drake. Any issues with allowing her outside to forage with the ducklings? At what age? Do I need to keep the drake(s) and other females away from her and the ducklings? What about the roosters and hens? Will she protect them from the others, like hens do? Will the mom "tell us" when she is done hanging with the ducklings? My only experience is with chicks and broody hens. Hens are pretty clear on when they are sick of the kids and want to go hang with the adults, again. They are also really good at protecting their young from other hens ect.

Thank you
Laura R.

 

[Going Quackers]

I usually pen off mama and babies for a couple days then let her go i watch, if it's her first clutch i need to ensure she's up to the task of duckling care and protection. It is worthwhile to mention sometimes drakes are known to kill ducklings, doesn't always happen(for instance not taken place here) but i still suggest watching...

Also keep a close eye on any water sources that young can get in/out, drowning is very common too. As for weaning depends on the duck, i have had some drop the kids by 2-3wks... and others who held on to where they were more than half her size... like 6-8wks old lol.

 

[laurabr]

Thank you. I will keep a close eye on all of them.