Co-brooding...what would happen if..?

[Ducklove334]

I've been wondering something for a while,

When mouse, my mallard hatched her baby, I expected Sage's eggs to hatch with it, when they didn't I pulled them out, candled the 4, and it LOOKED to me, like two were ready, but no ducklings, so I put brand new batteries in my flashlight I used to candle and candled again, well, the two eggs DO have moving,wiggling babies in them, HOWEVER they're only about 2 weeks or so(my guess) along, that was 5 days ago. so since Stencil my constantly broody runners baby died(the one that hatched early), I gave her the two developing swedish eggs, wich she still been sitting on.

now, Rosilee, my muscovy hen failed her clutch last month. she's recently started laying again, and has chosen the nest box that Stencil is sitting on the two swedish eggs to lay her eggs, there is no fighting between them, infact Stencil gets to sit the eggs, while Rosilee sits at the back, on nothing.

she's "brooding" but STILL laying eggs

I've been taking her eggs, because I'm not sure WHO will take up raising these two babies once they hatch.

another thing is, that when Rosilee lays an egg, it gets set on, because theres two bodies in the nest box, like ALL day. I wouldn't mind letting her keep laying, but I don't want staggered hatches for MONTHS LOL, one baby a day for like 2 or 3 months would be odd....

so what I'm getting at is, what would happen if, if Rosilee kept laying but I took the eggs and stored them until the two Swedish babies hatched, and who-ever took them over took them off,and put the muscovy eggs back?

would Rosilee set them, or is the going to associate the hatching of the two babies as a time to stop sitting???

I have hatched NO muscovies this year, and really want some, I've got two eggs under one of our broody chickens LOL.

but I'd like Rosilee to hatch some too.

 

[Alaskan]

I have no idea.

I would worry that if you waited a month, then gave her some eggs, she would be bored and not want to finish setting.

I would be tempted to save eggs for a week, then give them to her all at once.

But yep, you run the risk of her leaving the nest when the 2 little ducklings hatch.

So, I don't know.

 

[goosedragon]

Just my opinion but I would get the Muscovy out of there and let the other set in peace. The Muscovy could still produce two clutches this season (you said you were in VA?) September and Oct hatches for muscovy are not unusual in NC.
If the Muscovy is still laying she isn't really broody, she might think she is herself but she is not since both egg laying and broodyness is controlled by hormones.
"Stencil my constantly broody runner" needs a break from setting, she hatched her own and if she hatches the two Sweedish that is enough. she needs some recovery time. JMO, your birds, your choice!

 

[Ducklove334]

Stencil my constantly broody runner" needs a break from setting

thats just it LOL,

if she doesn'y have eggs, she sits on nothing, wierd little bird, now she ISN'T laying, she rarely does.

the blue runner Akai is still laying, but trying to sit too.​

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
thats just it LOL,

if she doesn'y have eggs, she sits on nothing, wierd little bird, now she ISN'T laying, she rarely does. When we were into egg production we would break broody muscovies(that will usually set on anything) by placing them in a wire bottomed cage elevated from the ground with no beding (nesting) materials so the breeze could cool the underbody brooding surfaces. 3 days and nights would usually do the job. When released they walked around like regular ducks and go back to laying eggs shortly. ~gd
the blue runner Akai is still laying, but trying to sit too.