It's possible but she couldn't know that just from the symptoms. It could be a lot of things. If she's a vet tech, can she take some blood work and do some free testing?
It may be worth asking for a replacement in day old chicks and at least double what you got in juveniles. However it would be good to find out as i believe MG is transmitted into the egg.
They are tough but not impossible. if you are hands on and checking them you will have better results for sure. There is a complete hatching guide for geese here on BYC that is a sticky at the top of the goose area. I recommend it for goose eggs and muscovy eggs both. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491013/goose-incubation-hatching-guide-completedI'm trying my hand at Muscovy eggs right now. Have never incubated any kind of duck. My current plan is this:
1) Starting Day 10, went to 5 minute daily cooling and misting.
2) Incubate at 99 degrees, rotating twice daily with the x/o system.
3) Weekly weighing, adjusting humidity as needed.
My first week they lost too much weight, so I did add humidity for week 2, a water reservoir with a sponge that dries out in 1-2 days currently. Right now both vents are open, thinking this week I'll close one down. It's really cold here currently, so very dry as well. The incubator is a styrofoam type with air circulation.
Going into week 3 now, lost one that quit this week (had a detached air cell with free air bubbles when I got it) and had one clear. 12 cooking nicely with great veining and active little embryos. I read that you ideally would like to see 2.8% weight loss per week. The first week they dropped 4.1%, so I added humidity. This week they dropped 7.5% (should be 5.5%) in the face of the humidity, so a little better, but still a little dry. Don't know how worried I should be. Am thinking a little dry is better than too wet... Next step would be to close down one of the two little vent holes.
Will take any suggestions, have heard they are tough to hatch and have never hatched them before (or waterfowl of any kind).
I would argue that statement with your vet. I know many flocks who have been tested for it and come up 100% clean. I do agree that more testing needs to be done though to ensure entire flocks arent wiped out.
I think it's suppose to get a little warmer for us as well. I'll be happy if anything.Good morning!Another chilly one here! But we are supposed to have an entire week above freezing starting tomorrow! That should make all my critters happy! Then I just have to deal with mud instead of snow for a few days.The ducks will be happy anyway. I am sure I will have a ton of new duck holes in my yard.
I agree but I don't see people doing it. I'm sure there are more cases out there and it's those people who need to start reporting it. They have the evidence of sick/dead birds that can be tested.
