DEMENTED MUSCOVY DRAKE ATTACKING FROM BEHIND!

[Miss Lydia]

If they are just beginning to lay that can be the reason for laying a smallish egg but rarely do my Muscovy lay a large egg at least not like my Buffs who do lay large eggs. Make sure to have oyster shell out close to feed bowl not in it. They will use it as needed. It’s up to you if you want to go with a layer that is all I can get in non GMO so I mix non GMO scratch grains with it since I have drakes and roosters. If I could find a non GMO all flock I’d def change. Grit they really don’t need unless they can’t find any outside I leave it out year round. Only in winter when there is snow and ice do I see them using it. Once you have them with your drake you can offer a kiddy pool they will most likely follow what he does. He’ll teach them the ropes. My Muscovy drake can just about empty a small kiddy pool when he gets a bath. Lol

 

[RebinNH]

I don't think I know what are scratch grains. Are they whole grains? Would the following grower feed qualify?

https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Or...f0-b664-0e2c9d28ff43&pd_rd_i=B0068SP2SS&psc=1

I also do not know the difference between layer pellets and crumbles. Do you?
Cute the drake that empties the pool. I wish I enjoyed my bath THAT MUCH! One of the joys of ducks. What other animal loves water that much - except for maybe fish (or otters). I offered my drakes some charcoal from my wood stove mixed into some activated charcoal and they knocked it over (as they did the grit) but did eat some, as it showed up in the water bowl.
I read somewhere that I could just give the girls some food grade DE this once just to make sure they're alright intestinally. The test won't come back til next Monday and I'm not sure I can hold them off or actually I should say him off that long. His eating is off because I think he is stressed seeing but not being able to get to them. They spent a lot of time today on either side of a temporary plastic netting fence I rigged up today covering my deck siding. One of the girls was especially amorous and she and he were lightly pecking at the fence on either side of each other. He knows it's me who has them contained as he watched me erecting the barrier. I hope he doesn't start to take it out on me.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't think he'll hold a grudge. My Muscovy aren't even mating since they are all in molt.
I'd go ahead and let them be together. If they do come up with parasites just worm all 3.

That feed looks good and if you put out oyster shells for the girls that should take care of their need for calcium.
That looks like good feed sure is expensive. Have you checked your feed store or TSC for organic or NON GMO? Thankfully our only feed store does carry NON GMO but only in starter and layer and the 6 way scratch grains.
Here is the 6 way scratch I buy not from this dealer but this is the description.
https://rogersfeed.com/catalog/product/359891/nature-crest-scratch-6-way-non-gmo

 

[RebinNH]

Well, I only have the three birds so not that expensive. What % of scratch to other (layer) seed? That said the scratch seed you sent the link for looks like an easy thing anyone could put together even in organic! It only contains 4 ingredients (except for the grit) and one could use millet instead of milo.
I came across this (it was posted on Backyard Birds at one point)
https://thebirdfoodstore.com/2013/09/06/millet-is-good-milo-is-bad/
I may try that. Just need to decide how much of each.
I also want my birds to eat insects, so I don't want to overfeed them and make their lives TOO easy! I know this time of year that is asking too much but come spring, I will be cutting back on food and having them out most of the time.
I too am inclined to let them be together as the kiddie pool had ice on top this AM and I think they'd all appreciate having more to snuggle with, especially the drake. BUT! the vet staff said if they come up with coccidia or some other parasite, they'll need to see all 3 ducks before prescribing treatment! At $91 a pop and whatever I would need to do to the coop, run and yard, I certainly can' t afford that! No, I think you were right to suggest the quarantine. I will stick with it. That said I did call the lab to urge them to do my sample asap! It may be Monday - finger crossed.
The TSC here does not have non GMO food for ducks. Most likely for chickens. Do you think they'd be fine with chicken layer instead?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine only eat non GMO chicken layer since I have chickens and ducks and a goose so they have never eaten just waterfowl feed. I mix in summer 6 cups layer to 1 cup scratch in winter months when they aren't laying much at all they get 6 cups layer to 2 cup scratch.
Have you seen blood in their poo? That is one sign of cocci. But hopefully they have neither.
Your right about bugs being scarce over cold months I also give my flock dry dog food [My Muscovy love it] Even more than mealworms. And they also get dried mealworms and blk soldier fly larva.

 

[RebinNH]

No, no blood. I did see something very strange. The first AM they were here one (I know which) passed something with a long cottage cheese like thick stringy thing. I asked the label to check it out, as I put it in the bottom of the sample cup. I wonder if she ate something that was not food.
All those birds! You must LOVE eggs!
I have mealworms and will try both of the other. Funny about dog food. I never fed my dog dog food, as I never thought it was healthy and safe enough. She was a raw fed dog. That said I think cat food is often better and certainly more just meat (as they are purely carnivores). Maybe I'll try that.

 

[RebinNH]

I meant... "I asked the lab...."

 

[RebinNH]

So Miss Lydia,
I just went out on my deck and there was another egg (this AM there was a much larger egg that seemed fine) and found a broken egg that had a nice yellow yolk and the white but the shell was nothing but membrane. It smelled horrid. One of them ate some of the yolk left after I hosed it off. I assume that means I need to get calcium layer feed pronto! The only place nearby that has it is GMO. Can I give them calcium citrate in their feed instead (until I can get better food)? I have a good brand that has 150 mg. per capsule. (I don't take it anymore, so not a big loss and I'll be able to use it up).
Btw, do you have any way to determine how many egg shells (chicken or their own) will equal what they need? I used to grind them in my mini cuisinart for my dog.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's not at all unusual for them to lay a soft shell when they begin to lay or even after they have laid for a while and calcium reserves at low. Yes you can give them calcium citrate

I can't tell you how many egg shells they would need What I do is when I use an egg or eggs I crush it up in a paper towel and just dump it outside and let them eat it. I do keep oyster shell out year round too.

 

[RebinNH]

I have another issue! I don't know whether to start another thread.
My remaining drake is depressed! So much so that he wasn't eating today until I hand fed him some cut up cuke pieces and some slightly ground pumpkin seeds. When I tied to feed him some seed he refused. He seems very healthy otherwise, so I don't understand.