Free Range Muscovies

[Going Quackers]

Will muscovies mate with ducks from their own clutch?

Yep, eventually. After awhile the relationships are lost as in brother/sister, mother/father etc.. birds don't think that way.

 

[Going Quackers]

Thank you! This helps a lot! I do have another question though. When I secure the hut, do I completely shut her in the hut with food and water? Or do I leave an opening so she can get out if she wants? Also, do I allow the male to be in the secured area with the female?

I would secure her at night if you can, is it roomy enough for the drake? i leave the females with the drakes till babies hatch then will section off for a few days to ensure no drake is gonna be stupid with the young, they are known baby killers so does need to be watched for.

 

[girls and guineas]

It is hard to figure out the water--the Mom and drake want deeper water, but the babies need shallow water!! I put bricks in my water to help them get out, and a ramp to get in. The adults just jump in and out. At first, when they were a few days old, I had a large saucer that you put under plants. That was the right depth, but the water was dirty in a few minutes!!! I'm using a waterer now for clean??? drinking water (but it gets dirty right away)
The parent ducks splash and spill a lot of water out--makes a stinky muddy mess!!! I now have a rectangular plastic container inside a larger one, hoping to keep the ground drier!!!
I have seen 2 little ducks get stuck flipped on their backs and can't get turned over! They squawked loudly and a parent came running, but I turned them over. Can they get turned back over by themselves? I never realized little ducklings could get stuck flipped over on their backs. Reminded me of turtles!!!

 

[EckDucks]

Will females get aggressive with males when they are nesting? I noticed my male muscovy had blood on his chest and the female was chasing him and nipping at him!

 

[Going Quackers]

Will females get aggressive with males when they are nesting? I noticed my male muscovy had blood on his chest and the female was chasing him and nipping at him!

They can be pretty irritable, they get very 'give me my space' to just about everyone in the flock. Though i have not seen blood before, did you examine him thoroughly?

 

[EckDucks]

Since we didn't raise them, they don't fully trust my family and I yet. So he has been under a truck all day (which is normal-- he is usually under the truck during the day) and wont come out so that I can look at him better!

 

[EckDucks]

Do I have to have a brooder? Or will the mother take good enough care of them on her own?

 

[EckDucks]

Also, how long will the mother sit on the ducklings after they hatch?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do I have to have a brooder? Or will the mother take good enough care of them on her own?

Mom will take care of her ducklings but depending on how many she has sometimes they can get neglected , get left behind etc. so best to keep an eye on them all for at least first week. She is usually ready to take the ducklings out for first adventure at around 2-3 days old they will need to begin eating about 24 hrs after hatch. She will be pretty attentive to them for at least 3 weeks maybe longer depends on the mama. I keep my mamas and ducklings in temp fencing and house of their own. for first 3 weeks so ducklings are safe from the rest of the flock and have a chance to gain some size everyone can see each other though.

 

[EckDucks]

Mom will take care of her ducklings but depending on how many she has sometimes they can get neglected , get left behind etc. so best to keep an eye on them all for at least first week. She is usually ready to take the ducklings out for first adventure at around 2-3 days old they will need to begin eating about 24 hrs after hatch. She will be pretty attentive to them for at least 3 weeks maybe longer depends on the mama. I keep my mamas and ducklings in temp fencing and house of their own. for first 3 weeks so ducklings are safe from the rest of the flock and have a chance to gain some size everyone can see each other though.

Awesome! Thanks!!