Duck In A Tree

[Pickle Rick]

Goodness, that's a first for me. They are tree ducks though so I can see it happening. Do they have a coop to sleep in? if so make sure they have plenty of space and bedding they like that or mine do anyway. I even made small bedrooms inside for them so they can have privacy. My Muscovy's really do like their privacy and prefer to lay and brood in it. And since most lay before day light if you are keeping them in at night there is a good possibility they will lay inside if it's what they like. If they free range 24/7 I have no idea how you'll keep them out of a tree if it suits them for a nest sight.

They are free range 24/7 but the do have a hut to lay their eggs in, and it has got nice bedding so they can lay their eggs. the only Muscovy's that actually lay in there don't actually sit on them, just lay and go

 

[Miss Lydia]

If they can find another place to lay they probably will, before I blocked all places inside their fencing I had them getting up underneath their ramps going inside there house very hard to get them and their eggs out.

 

[Kessel23]

Muscovies are in the same genus as wood ducks, they are both perching ducks that sleep and nest in the trees. They are the only two species from the genus Cairina and their ducklings can take extreme falls. My main concern with a Muscovy nesting outside of the pen would be owls and racoons. You should not have to worry about the babies getting down from the tree, assuming the mother could survive long enough to hatch them.

 

[Pickle Rick]

Muscovies are in the same genus as wood ducks, they are both perching ducks that sleep and nest in the trees. They are the only two species from the genus Cairina and their ducklings can take extreme falls. My main concern with a Muscovy nesting outside of the pen would be owls and racoons. You should not have to worry about the babies getting down from the tree, assuming the mother could survive long enough to hatch them.

They should be all right from racoons and owls, considering I live in QLD Australia. the only problem I have is probably possums, but the Muscovy's get very protective when laying, and can easily draw blood from pecking you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very true they can be fierce but not sure they are a match for anything with teeth like a possum and what about snakes? your possums may not be as fierce as ours, ours have a mouth full of very sharp teeth.

 

[Kessel23]

If the only threat is from the ground then maybe try to put one of those cones shaped guards around the tree trunk, like the ones they use for bird feeders and Purple Martin poles.

 

[Pickle Rick]

Very true they can be fierce but not sure they are a match for anything with teeth like a possum and what about snakes? your possums may not be as fierce as ours, ours have a mouth full of very sharp teeth.

I've actually seen one of the mothers nearly kill a green tree snake after it came too close to her babies. the snake was small and non venomous, but was still amazing to watch and the possums here are scaredy cats, and wont go anywhere near the ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well then let them nest where they want. Sounds like you don't have a choice really.

 

[Kusanar]

They should be all right from racoons and owls, considering I live in QLD Australia. the only problem I have is probably possums, but the Muscovy's get very protective when laying, and can easily draw blood from pecking you

Your possums are predatory?? They're such cute little things....

 

[Pickle Rick]

Well then let them nest where they want. Sounds like you don't have a choice really.

yea true