How to keep drakes spirits up while hen broody

[RebinNH]

I lost one of my 2 muscovy hens a little over a week ago. Immediately the other hen layed an egg and she is now sitting on it nonstop. Today (at almost 5 PM) she has not come out of the coop at all to eat, drink, etc. I am concerned about the drake who went through missing and searching for the hen who died and now who is left alone while the other (momma?) hen is sitting on the one egg. Suggestions? Also is it too late for her to hatch and care for the one egg - weatherwise in southern NH? Nights are in the 40's and days in the 60's. Thanks!

 

[Jenbirdee]

I lost one of my 2 muscovy hens a little over a week ago. Immediately the other hen layed an egg and she is now sitting on it nonstop. Today (at almost 5 PM) she has not come out of the coop at all to eat, drink, etc. I am concerned about the drake who went through missing and searching for the hen who died and now who is left alone while the other (momma?) hen is sitting on the one egg. Suggestions? Also is it too late for her to hatch and care for the one egg - weatherwise in southern NH? Nights are in the 40's and days in the 60's. Thanks!

i’m sorry for your loss
is your only hen now sitting on just one egg?
in my opinion it will be too cold in new hampshire and sad that there’s only one - if it even hatches- maybe you should break her broodiness .
i don’t have muscovies just other kinds of ducks though so hopefully someone with scovies will see your post and chime in.
I think at least you should put the Drake near nearby the hen so they can see each other

 

[RebinNH]

Yes, only hen on one egg.
If that egg were to hatch I assume the chick could easily freeze if the momma does not continually sit on it.
The ducks are free range, so the drake can go into the coop to see her whenever he wants. I'm not sure that is enough companionship, though as the acknowledgement she gives is a squeek and he is used to roaming the yard, eating and sleeping under trees together. He is choosing to spend most of his time on a large boulder (where they sometimes hang out preening after bathing) so he can see me through the window or on a platform near the coop where I have decided to move their food. I originally let her sit because she seemed like she was mourning the loss of the other hen (as well) and I didn't want to create even more stress. Two is not a flock but the three were quite the team and depended well on each other.
Anyone else especially with muscovy want to chime in? Lydia?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Momma hens can both hatch and keep ducklings warm in lower temperatures. As for the drake can he see her still?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Yes, only hen on one egg.
If that egg were to hatch I assume the chick could easily freeze if the momma does not continually sit on it.
The ducks are free range, so the drake can go into the coop to see her whenever he wants. I'm not sure that is enough companionship, though as the acknowledgement she gives is a squeek and he is used to roaming the yard, eating and sleeping under trees together. He is choosing to spend most of his time on a large boulder (where they sometimes hang out preening after bathing) so he can see me through the window or on a platform near the coop where I have decided to move their food. I originally let her sit because she seemed like she was mourning the loss of the other hen (as well) and I didn't want to create even more stress. Two is not a flock but the three were quite the team and depended well on each other.
Anyone else especially with muscovy want to chime in? Lydia?

when my pilgrim goose was brooding, my gander spent the days on his own walking around the yard, looking at the ducks through the fence, visiting her on and off, and I would sit out there and talk to him about it. He was fine.

 

[RebinNH]

Yes, only hen on one egg.
If that egg were to hatch I assume the chick could easily freeze if the momma does not continually sit on it.
The ducks are free range, so the drake can go into the coop to see her whenever he wants. I'm not sure that is enough companionship, though as the acknowledgement she gives is a squeek and he is used to roaming the yard, eating and sleeping under trees together. He is choosing to spend most of his time on a large boulder (where they sometimes hang out preening after bathing) so he can see me through the window or on a platform near the coop where I have decided to move their food. I originally let her sit because she seemed like she was mourning the loss of the other hen (as well) and I didn't want to create even more stress. Two is not a flock but the three were quite the team and depended well on each other.
Anyone else especially with muscovy want to chime in? Lydia?

when my pilgrim goose was brooding, my gander spent the days on his own walking around the yard, looking at the ducks through the fence, visiting her on and off, and I would sit out there and talk to him about it. He was fine.

He can see her if he goes to the coop door. That really doesn't give him much though. He's very friendly and I too spend some time out there with him each day but not that much. I have no concern that he will wander.