First timer with Duck eggs

[Ms T]

I'm putting 15 Muscovie eggs in the incubator in the morning. I've hatched several chicks in this bator with no problem (it's a Miss Prissy home-made one that I did) ..so hoping for a successful hatch on these. Had it up and running for 3 days now and temps and humidity are perfect. Wishing I had invested in a turner....but seems like that takes some of the fun out of it. lol

Gonna be a long 35 days since I'm so use to hatching chicks and even did some quail before....which was only 17 days. But I'm so excited and can't wait to get them started and see them hatch.

Anyone can give me ANY advice on their experience with hatching Muscovies....I'm welcome to any you can give me.

I am a little concerned about the fact they are flyers. I have all my chickens in a huge run and let them out from time to time to free range and they have never attempted to fly off or roam very far. I have 2 parrots and I'm familiar with clipping wings...so doing this is not a big deal.....I also read about pinioning....anyone go to this extreme and if so how much more effective is it than just clipping. And where would I get it done if that is something I HAVE to look into.

I have not hatched anything in over 2 yrs.....so I'm so excited. I will be posting updates and sure I will have lots of questions over the next 35 days. So glad this site is here and everyone is so helpful!!!

 

[Amiga]

And wow, what a project! I don't hatch any yet, myself, but I have been watching some of the stories posted here. I have runners, not Muscovies. There are so many Muscovy people here, though, and so many experienced hatchers, I think you will be in good shape.

Thinking of how Muscovies fly, I used to wonder if they would perch above people's cars and decorate them. Odd, the random thoughts we can have . . . .

 

[zooweemama]

I have zero advice but wanted to wish you all the best with your eggs!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't hatch my Muscovies in a bator so can't give you advise on that, let my girls do the hatching. but To keep them from flying just clip one wing you can go on Metzers web site and see how it's done. That will keep them home. Ducks love to fly but they don't realize the dangers waiting for them out there. Keep us updated on progress and when they hatch..

You may PM Bleenie I think she my hatch Muscovy in bator and use her ducks can't remember.

 

[njduck]

In my opinion, go ahead and pinion them at 3 days old. Will save you a lot of hassle later. Not mention a lot less stress on the ducks through out there life. To do it is easy. Take a pair of toenail clippers. Open there little wing and clip it at the first joint back from the tip of the wing. They don't squeal. It won't bleed much if at all. I then put blue-kote on the the tip that I just cut. The wing will be healed over in a few days. The stain from the antiseptic will be there a few weeks. The will never fly and you won't be clipping wings every 6 months. It is a 2 person job to clip an adult male Muscovy wing and he doesn't appreciate it much either