Daphne’s reproductive issues have returned

[Miss Lydia]

Yep and keep well in the frig too.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Over the winter, Daphne’s going to need to go into a recovery program for ducks addicted to Calcium Gluconate. It’s a good thing that they sell the stuff in big bottles!

I totally get it! I've got the same thing here with my little Eva. Knock on wood, it's been a while since I've had to dose her but there have been times when it was happening a lot and I was sure she'd not make it through the night.....yet she is still with me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How's Daphne doing today?

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

How's Daphne doing today?

Doing well, thank you! However, it’s a lovely sunny day, the sort of day that makes her feel that she should continue to try to lay. I expect issues tomorrow night or Monday. Maybe, she would do better if she just stayed in the barn in the dark, but what fun would that be? I’ll let her play in the sun and will be ready to take action when needed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully once winter sets in you can breathe easier. Sure can’t keep her from enjoying life. Are your Muscovy through for the year? I got my lastMuscovy egg a couple weeks ago.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Hopefully once winter sets in you can breathe easier. Sure can’t keep her from enjoying life. Are your Muscovy through for the year? I got my lastMuscovy egg a couple weeks ago.

I thought they were, as it had been a couple of weeks since I’d seen an egg and their personalities had returned to normal, but then I found 1 egg yesterday and 1 today. I think my white Muscovy hen is responsible as she’s gone back to chirpCHIRPing and is being a bit moody. However, I haven’t seen anyone on that particular nest. I don’t expect her to continue for long though. The daylight is quickly retreating, and most days are entirely overcast. Also, it’s freezing, or getting close, every night now. Both young ladies had a perfect first laying season with zero physical issues or imperfect eggs whatsoever. They deserve a nice rest. How are all of your birds doing?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are all doing real well. Egg laying has dropped off and hopefully everyone will get a good rest from now till spring. I think our Muscovy do so much better because they haven’t been messed with like the Mallard derived. They have normal laying and resting periods and then count broodiness which can drive us crazy but is another plus because they are resting their bodies. Maybe that’s one reason they live long lives too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Love an update on Daphne.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Love an update on Daphne.

Thank you for checking in! One day, at the end of last week, I think, she ran into the corner of the barn when I entered and started making those quiet little quacks that the mallard-derived seem to reserve for moments of complete happiness. I followed her, and found her gently covering up/tucking in a halfway decent egg! I let her keep the egg as she seemed very proud of it and because she had spruced up what had previously been an unused Daphne nest just for the occasion. Since then, she has laid 2 more good looking eggs (and has passed one failed egg with no shell that I know of). She has continued to be bright and happy and has not needed her calcium gluconate recently. I did switch back to Flock Raiser (vs. Layena pellets) for the off season about 1 and 1/2 weeks ago. Maybe that mix is better for her needs, or maybe this is just a good period for her. We’ll see!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless her heart they sure are proud of those eggs. That’s good news that she’s having a good period. I hope it lasts.