Found dead baby muskovy

[Gmilojev]

I have a Muskovy duck sitting on eggs inside the coop. Today I went to feed them and I noticed she was fluffing up her nest and when I looked closer I found a fully developed, feathers and all a dead baby near the nest and the broken shell of the egg near by. What could of happened. She shares the coop with a passive other female and a not so passive Drake.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Sometimes they don't know what to do with that first hatchling. As well the ducklings can get stepped on pretty easily. I didn't separate my other birds, but my first hatching duck was found still in its shell about 5' away from the nest and duck coop. It didn't make it. The rest of the eggs that were viable hatched out just fine.
How many eggs is she sitting on?

 

[Gmilojev]

Sometimes they don't know what to do with that first hatchling. As well the ducklings can get stepped on pretty easily. I didn't separate my other birds, but my first hatching duck was found still in its shell about 5' away from the nest and duck coop. It didn't make it. The rest of the eggs that were viable hatched out just fine.
How many eggs is she sitting on?

Well she has one left. She had more but one by one they were disappearing. We suspected maybe something was getting in maybe a rat so we close the hatch at night. The one she has left looks like it will not hatch. It is very small egg and it looks clear inside. It’s very disappointing because she is very committed.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Well she has one left. She had more but one by one they were disappearing. We suspected maybe something was getting in maybe a rat so we close the hatch at night. The one she has left looks like it will not hatch. It is very small egg and it looks clear inside. It’s very disappointing because she is very committed.

Sounds like you have a rat problem. Rats are pretty bold and will actually take the eggs out from under hens/ducks. They stash them places but never really end up eating them.

Closing the hatch won't stop them if there's any gaps. Rats can fit pretty much anywhere. If she's in a small area or hutch you can add extra small chicken wire to keep them away.

They like to stash eggs behind walls and under chicken/duck houses.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Oh. Next time maybe section her off in a safe place where she can brood without any other ducks or rats bothering her. Since you potentially have a rat problem, rats can kill the ducklings too.

 

[Gmilojev]

Sounds like you have a rat problem. Rats are pretty bold and will actually take the eggs out from under hens/ducks. They stash them places but never really end up eating them.

Closing the hatch won't stop them if there's any gaps. Rats can fit pretty much anywhere. If she's in a small area or hutch you can add extra small chicken wire to keep them away.

They like to stash eggs behind walls and under chicken/duck houses.

My husbands made it his mission to trap the rats. So can I put her somewhere by herself, I’m a different coop that’s more secure while she is laying eggs?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Ducks usually choose their nesting spot. She won't lay a clutch for awhile of she's been broody. You really need to make sure everything is safe for your animals before encouraging them to be broody. I would not allow them to nest until it's safe.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy females are so fierce when brooding they have to have their own space. They will trample their own duckling going after anyone who dares get close. When mine are actually brooding on eggs[sying that because i have 2 right now brooding on nothing] I make her a safe place inside the coop so she can stay with her flock but no one can mess with her. Drakes are known to kill duckling and even other females can. It's never happend here but I make sure it can't.
I'm sorry she lost the duckling. They can be so dedicated it's heartbreaking when they don't get to raise them.
I do agree with others that getting their coop secure is very important before letting her try again.