Moving Muscovy hatchlings

[esthermsu]

My muscovies spend their nights in a coop within a pen and are led daily to a separate area with a pond and their feed.

One of my females has a nest with eggs that I've been transporting back and forth so that she can brood.

Once the eggs are hatched, should I transport them and the mother back and forth? Should I leave them in the coop in a brooder?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Welcome to BYC!

Just curious, but why do you move the next? Can you not just leave her in the coop? Mine brooded theirs in there without issues, and I made sure they got food and water each day.

When they hatch, Momma should take care of them just fine. Muscovy are known to be great mothers.

 

[esthermsu]

I wanted her to be by the pond and didn't realize that she would be ok being alone in the coop by herself. I'm grateful that my constant moving of the nest didn't stop her from brooding.

Will the ducklings be ok in the coop with the drake and other female? When can they start going to the pond with the other ducks?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Mine were foster ducks, that a momma who had been brooding (but got attacked by a rat and had to be removed from her nest) adopted, so a bit older, but she did a great job with them and the rest of the flock. My drake didn't bother them at all, not the other ducks.

My Magpie duck did fine integrating her chicks in with the flock without separating them, but there weren't that many ducks in my yard yet. I went from 12 to 6 and now to 30.

Careful with the ducklings around water. They can drown.

 

[ruthhope]

I think you are very lucky, esthermsu,
that the Muscovy mamma didn't reject the nest and eggs when it was moved. Brooding ducks just want to be left alone. When the duckliings start hatching it is very important to leave them and the mamma alone to imprint and start life on a sound footing. Please leave the mamma duck and nest in the coop until she is ready to take her ducklings to the pond!

 

[esthermsu]

Thank you @Canadian Wind and @ruthhope! I'll leave mom and the nest in the coop with water and feed and let nature take its course.

I'll keep a bucket of water for the mom that the ducklings can't get into and a water feeder for the little ones. I also read that I can just crush up the adult feed for the babies? Or should I get unmedicated starter feed?

 

[Canadian Wind]

You are most welcome!

Sounds good. I would recommend getting Duckling-specific starter feed, as they have different requirements than chickens.

How long has she been sitting?

 

[ruthhope]

I agree: duck specific starter feed to ensure adequate niacin

 

[esthermsu]

It's been about 30 days so I expect them to hatch any day now!

Will get duckling starter feed and I heard that peas are good for niacin as well.

 

[Canadian Wind]

It's been about 30 days so I expect them to hatch any day now!

Will get duckling starter feed and I heard that peas are good for niacin as well.

I wouldn't bother with extra food/treats at the start, keep them on just the duckling starter and allow them to forage with mom after a few days/week. Momma might like the peas, though Just don't give her too much, only about 10% of the diet should be treats for ducks fed exclusively on manufactured feed.

Muscovy hatch after about 35 days, give or take, when naturally incubated. So yes, soon!

We will be expecting pictures!