I know that I have not been around in some time, and I am sorry. It has been a little crazy .... we were going to move cross country - so out of my 19 muscovey and 40 + chickens, I kept 6 chickens and 6 ducks - all with homes when we were ready to move. Well spring came and went, and still no moving. Now we are into summer and we are STILL here ... so looks like we are not moving until next year now. pooey!
With that said - I felt blessed that on Mother's Day, my very first Muscovey hatchlings were hatched from my one hen. I was so excited to look out that morning and see her out with 2 babies. We had no idea that she was still alive - let alone brooding a nest!! Then about 2 weeks later, we had a clutch of 13 hatched!!! One didn't make it - it was week at hatching and didn't expect it to make it - but it literally just "disappeared" not sure - maybe a hawk?
Well we sold 6 of the hatchlings and had 8 left, along with 6 meat hatchlings that I purchased at the local feed store. Then came the Raccoon .... GAH! This darn thing killed one of my other hens who was just finishing laying a clutch (first clutch didn't make it ) so her eggs are currently in the incubator (first time bating eggs - so we will see how I do). There are 13 eggs in the bator - I saw movement in 3 last week - hoping to candle again tonight and see what I can see and take some pics to know what I have. Then my hen that hatched 2 ducklings has just started brooding another nest that has 12-14 eggs in it ..... So anyone in the Inland Northwest need some ducks - LOL! All seem to be Blue Pied or Black Pied!
Unfortunately, we have lost 5 meaties, 1 hatchling, 2 hens, and one of my drakes was attacked by a raccoon. We know that it is a coon because we have shot at it twice now and not hit it in 4 shots :-( I have a trap out and last night he found the trap with the goodies - but ate the goodies without setting the door to close - smarty pants. So I got a second trap today! LOL! I will get the booger - but in the meantime - my momma duck, her 7 remaining ducklings, and the lone meatie are being couped at night in the awesome coup that my husband just built me and we are 95% complete!!!
Any suggestions, tips, anything - I would be happy to hear them - and I will get you a pic of the ducklings. Currently have 3 1.5 month old drakes available!!
Oh and I just ordered 15 new layer hatchlings and 10 meaties! Ohh I can't wait for a dead coon - more ducklings, and chicks!!!
With that said - I felt blessed that on Mother's Day, my very first Muscovey hatchlings were hatched from my one hen. I was so excited to look out that morning and see her out with 2 babies. We had no idea that she was still alive - let alone brooding a nest!! Then about 2 weeks later, we had a clutch of 13 hatched!!! One didn't make it - it was week at hatching and didn't expect it to make it - but it literally just "disappeared" not sure - maybe a hawk?
Well we sold 6 of the hatchlings and had 8 left, along with 6 meat hatchlings that I purchased at the local feed store. Then came the Raccoon .... GAH! This darn thing killed one of my other hens who was just finishing laying a clutch (first clutch didn't make it ) so her eggs are currently in the incubator (first time bating eggs - so we will see how I do). There are 13 eggs in the bator - I saw movement in 3 last week - hoping to candle again tonight and see what I can see and take some pics to know what I have. Then my hen that hatched 2 ducklings has just started brooding another nest that has 12-14 eggs in it ..... So anyone in the Inland Northwest need some ducks - LOL! All seem to be Blue Pied or Black Pied!
Unfortunately, we have lost 5 meaties, 1 hatchling, 2 hens, and one of my drakes was attacked by a raccoon. We know that it is a coon because we have shot at it twice now and not hit it in 4 shots :-( I have a trap out and last night he found the trap with the goodies - but ate the goodies without setting the door to close - smarty pants. So I got a second trap today! LOL! I will get the booger - but in the meantime - my momma duck, her 7 remaining ducklings, and the lone meatie are being couped at night in the awesome coup that my husband just built me and we are 95% complete!!!
Any suggestions, tips, anything - I would be happy to hear them - and I will get you a pic of the ducklings. Currently have 3 1.5 month old drakes available!!
Oh and I just ordered 15 new layer hatchlings and 10 meaties! Ohh I can't wait for a dead coon - more ducklings, and chicks!!!
