More than 35 days on the nest for my muscovy

[Susym]

My domesticated Muscovy who was dumped in the canal in front of our home when she started to fly has nested. Her last egg was on November 7th. She had 21 eggs and since has kicked 9 eggs out of the nest. I know they are supposed to hatch in 35 days but she is still sitting on the 12 that are left and a few of them look like they have developed ducklings in them. How long should we wait before we remove the eggs and the nest?

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Do you have any males around? if not (and you didnt mention any) then the eggs arent fertile, and theres no point at all

 

[Miss Lydia]

You should candle here is a chart showing development
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/73/bc/76/73bc765f4f44fe52e0fbbcd42255c2d5.jpg This chart only goes to day 28 but at day 28 is what day 35-37 is with scovy's

Either they aren't going to hatch if fertile or she didn't start full time brooding when you thought. After candling if none are viable then remove eggs and nest she has been sitting a long time which isn't good for her health.

 

[chickens really]

If fertile keep waiting...They will hatch when ready. You might be off by a few days as to when she actually began setting...

 

[Susym]

She mated with a male, who mated with all of the females. Everyone else's eggs have hatched. I think we should just take the eggs from her but she keeps protecting them and a few of them look like they have fully developed ducks in them. I will take a pick and upload when she gets off the nest next time. I thought ducks didn't lay eggs if they weren't fertilized...

 

[Miss Lydia]

It doesn't matter if fertile or not they lay eggs.

Welcome to BYC

 

[chickens really]

All Hen Birds lay eggs with or without males to fertilize them..Candle them and see if any life is in the eggs?..Or give it a few more days..

 

[Susym]

I followed her laying 1 egg a day for 21 days. The last egg was laid on November 7th. She pretty much started sitting on them full time the next day so I have been logging the days. She is so protective of the nest I'm not sure I want to take the eggs out but I will wait another week and if they don't hatch we are going to have to take the eggs....the nest is in the bushes by our back door and we have it roped off so that no one uses but then neither can we!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep us posted please.