Crazy Muscovy Mom

[txcarl1258]

My white muscovy hen has 10 three week old ducklings. 5 chocolate, 1 black, and 4 white. Today I noticed her picking on the white ones. Pecking them and chasing them around the pen. The white ones are slightly bigger than the others, but not enough to be noticeable. Has anyone ever had this happen before? I don't know she is picking on the white ones they are actually her babies the others are from eggs I bought. I figured if she was going to single one out it would be the black one since it looks so different from the rest.

 

[Going Quackers]

Hmm odd so only the white one? at 3wks she's probably moving towards weaning or at least a step to that, i find around here most mamas after the first couple weeks start leaving the kids and are not so interested, i have a few who hold on longer but generally speaking...

Hopefully others can chime in that is the best i got, i had a mum foster one kid this spring and then another she's basically done with them now.. they are 3wks but did an okay job at least got them through the most critical part.

 

[txcarl1258]

Yep it's only the white ones. I separated her and she was desperately trying to get back into the pen to be with the others. She has always been a loner so she doesn't get along with the other ducks very well. I may break down and sell the 4 white ones since I don't really have the pen space to keep them seperate.

 

[Going Quackers]

Definitely odd, of coarse it's hard to always know what possesses an animal to behave the way they do. Selling them maybe best, if you are not able to care for them separately. Good luck!

 

[SouthernPride]

I think she is just trying to wean them off of her. I don't think this will last long, babies will start becoming more independent. Mine did the same thing and she only had 4 but seemed to have her favorite.