Hatching experiment - Time to make my Muscovy a mom!

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

That first video that Rouen is def a girl. The second one where they are all together I couldn't tell who was doing what.

Maybe @KathiQuacks can help.

Thank you! That’s Bubbles categorized then! I haven’t lost all hope in Apollo, although I’m leaning towards male. Chester is male, until proven otherwise!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I’m not sure if decent 6 week pictures are possible! Everywhere they go, they go at top speed. They are a very happy and active group of little ducks. They are also very loud, except for dear Chester. I’ve told him that he will have a lot of responsibilities as the drake of the flock, but he’s not ready for any responsibilities yet!

Sometimes, they hang out as a flock of 7, but Remi and Matilda still spend a lot of time together on their own as they are not ready to fully welcome the kids. Anyways, here’s Daisy and a picture of everyone’s tails! I will try for better pictures this weekend.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Judging by the absolutely deafening sounds coming from everyone (except Chester and Mama Duck) on this fine early Sunday morning, it appears I’ve had beginner’s luck with my hatch, 3 ducks and 1 drake, making a total of 6 females with 1 male. Chester is very lucky that he has no one to compete with! Hopefully, he will turn into a fine fellow.

Apollo, not surprisingly, is turning into the leader of the babies, which explains why Remi, the leader of the aunties, is not a huge fan.

Mama duck is definitely starting to let go. I think she may have started laying again in the past couple of days, although her eggs and Remi’s are very similar, and neither lays on a daily basis. Mama probably wants to try again for some children with caruncles! However, I will do all I can to discourage broodiness as she needs to keep herself in good condition going into the colder months. Also, 7 ducks is plenty!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Awesome news!!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

It appears that I missed their 7 week update, and here we are at 8 weeks old already!

Daisy, my one and only little Welsh Harlequin, is the smallest. She’s most attached to her Mom, and has the hardest time with simple problems (how to get into the pool, how to get around an object rather than going straight through). She’s also the most beautiful!

Chester, my Khaki Campbell boy, is getting big! He’s a nice fellow (so far), and has the sweetest little kazoo of a voice. He’s closest with Daisy, and is not yet showing leadership qualities. His favorite snack is watermelon.

Bubbles, young lady Rouen number 1, is loud and full of energy! She’s becoming friendly with her aunt, Matilda.

Apollo, young lady Rouen number 2 (although the first to hatch), likes to lead, and her aunt Remi thinks she needs to learn a thing or two first. I’m still having trouble calling her a female as I always assumed she was a drake. However, her quacks could wake the whole neighborhood!

And here’s the whole family! They often hang out as a flock of 7, a flock of 5+2, or a flock of 4 (babies) + 2 (aunties) + 1 (Mom).

Mama duck is ready to move on with her life and have more children, but her babies still love her. She is currently “peri-broody”, aka laying but trending towards broodiness. Her babies were reluctant to leave the barn this AM as she was hanging out on her nest. Matilda had to go in and encourage them to go on an adventure

 

[Miss Lydia]

They sure are beautiful

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

They sure are beautiful

Thank you! They are such great not-so-little birds, and I’m very pleased how well they are integrating! I do think Mama would have loved to hatch some ‘Scovies, but she is fond enough of her children. I think that the next time I need to add ducks, I’ll let her increase Team ‘Scovy with some Muscovy hatching eggs. I just couldn’t find a good source this time, besides more white birds, and I’m really quite fond of the pied look.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

14 weeks old, and stuck somewhere in pre-adolescence. They haven’t noticed that Chester is “different”, and he started to molt weeks ago, but hasn’t gotten very far. No drake feather yet for my not—so-little drakeling! Chester and Daisy are the most connected with Mom still. Apollo has earned Remi’s respect, and Bubbles just follows the others along. Everyone continues to do well.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Ah, puberty has hit! His own mother! I hadn’t even cleaned the pool yet. And there’s Apollo and Bubbles, watching and learning…

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh them boys!