Friendship hurting eggs?

[digichix]

I am greatly anticipating some baby ducks in my future

and I am trying to do the best I can to insure the natural process of this. My question is this- am I interrupting the process of my muscovy sitting on her eggs? Every morning I open her coop and she proceeds to cover her eggs and come out to greet me. I love that she wants to see me, and she talks to me for a few minutes before coming completely out of coop (which is more of a squeaking now instead of a cooing) but I am wondering if she would sit on the eggs if I didn't come out. My husband opened the coop the other day for me and she seemed to stay on the eggs longer, but eventually she came out. Should I have him open her coop door until she goes broody, or leave things as is? I feel honored she wants to greet me and I love spending time with her but I really want to hatch out these eggs. And if I let him open the coop how do I stop her when I clean out her run, since I am the only one who does this, or do I make this the time to make sure she comes out and gets her exercise and such? Then how do I make her go back into the coop or just let her go in when she wants? ARGH

too many questions and I am constantly questioning if I am doing this all the right way or not so forgive me if I ask too many questions, there just is not enough info available for hatching eggs au naturale!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am greatly anticipating some baby ducks in my future

and I am trying to do the best I can to insure the natural process of this. My question is this- am I interrupting the process of my muscovy sitting on her eggs? Every morning I open her coop and she proceeds to cover her eggs and come out to greet me. I love that she wants to see me, and she talks to me for a few minutes before coming completely out of coop (which is more of a squeaking now instead of a cooing) but I am wondering if she would sit on the eggs if I didn't come out. My husband opened the coop the other day for me and she seemed to stay on the eggs longer, but eventually she came out. Should I have him open her coop door until she goes broody, or leave things as is? I feel honored she wants to greet me and I love spending time with her but I really want to hatch out these eggs. And if I let him open the coop how do I stop her when I clean out her run, since I am the only one who does this, or do I make this the time to make sure she comes out and gets her exercise and such? Then how do I make her go back into the coop or just let her go in when she wants? ARGH

too many questions and I am constantly questioning if I am doing this all the right way or not so forgive me if I ask too many questions, there just is not enough info available for hatching eggs au naturale!

I have 1 muscovy who just hatched ducklings and another sitting right now, when I go out to let everyone out mine do the same as yours they come outside but they know they will get some extra attention too. I like to make sure they are eating good since 35 days is a long time to brood. So Ruthie who is still brooding will come outside and wait at the back door for me to bring out peas and I usually have duck eggs steamed so I crush them up in the peas shell and all with some bread added just because they love it. pour hot water over to make it soupy then let her and the rest of the girls pig out. She usually stays out about 30 min. gets her bath and does her duties then back to the nest, which is covered real good to keep the eggs warm. Now Emmie just hatched hers so totally different routine, she came out this morning all puffed out ran and bathed, walked around for a few minutes and went right back in with her little ones, she hasn't brought them outside yet. So I think your okay to keep it like it is. She knows instinctively how long she can stay off the nest and we can just go about our routine too, I think it's best to keep everything as normal as possible.

 

[digichix]

Thank you soo much!!! I just checked on her and she was back inside so I'm figuring this is day two of sitting!!

And thanks also for the recipe-I will definitely make some for her, I think she will enjoy it!! Right now I have her on waterfowl food and she does free range( not daily so I don't know if she will now) and I gived her freeze dried meal worms (I refer to them as chicken and duck crack because they love them so much) but I was concerned about her diet if she was going to hatch these eggs-and you answered that one

I didn't even have to ask! I really hope they hatch- something I have always wanted to do!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you soo much!!! I just checked on her and she was back inside so I'm figuring this is day two of sitting!!

And thanks also for the recipe-I will definitely make some for her, I think she will enjoy it!! Right now I have her on waterfowl food and she does free range( not daily so I don't know if she will now) and I gived her freeze dried meal worms (I refer to them as chicken and duck crack because they love them so much) but I was concerned about her diet if she was going to hatch these eggs-and you answered that one

I didn't even have to ask! I really hope they hatch- something I have always wanted to do!!!

Mine eat mealworms too just in the dried form. lol. and it is most deff duck/chicken crack. Muscovies are the most personable creatures. And to be a part of their lives is such a treat, They are wonderful brooders and mommies and barring some unforseen accident i can't imagine why you won't have little ducklings running around soon. Unless you don't have a drake which you haven't mentioned. Just be sure to post back when the big day arrives with pics. and keep me updated on her continued broodiness.

 

[Mum]

Good luck digichix! Sounds like you have an exciting time ahead of you

 

[Mum]

... . and keep me updated on her continued broodiness.

Keep us all updated!

 

[digichix]

Thanks everyone!! I think right now I'm as excited as when I found out I was pregnant-23 years ago!!

My drake was taken by a fox a few weeks ago-big reason I really want this hatch-he was wonderful and I really miss him.
I will keep everyone updated and will probably have a miilion more questions so be patient with me and any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks everyone!! I think right now I'm as excited as when I found out I was pregnant-23 years ago!!

My drake was taken by a fox a few weeks ago-big reason I really want this hatch-he was wonderful and I really miss him.
I will keep everyone updated and will probably have a miilion more questions so be patient with me and any help will be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry I forgot about your drake.

I know this hatch is extra special

 

[Mum]

Thanks everyone!! I think right now I'm as excited as when I found out I was pregnant-23 years ago!!

My drake was taken by a fox a few weeks ago-big reason I really want this hatch-he was wonderful and I really miss him.
I will keep everyone updated and will probably have a miilion more questions so be patient with me and any help will be greatly appreciated.

Aww, that is just so sad

Had that happen to me a year ago (with all of my hens bar my broody) I can totally relate!

for your hatch!