Muscovy Duck laying habits

[Soon2BChixMom]

Good looking birds. Those were just some examples of egg stealers. I have never seen a rat at my place either, but I know they are around as I live in the middle of corn and bean fields.
So, are they not closed up at night? Or are you just showing a pic of them. Do you happen to have a pic of their enclosure or confined area?

 

[rosemary10]

Good looking birds. Those were just some examples of egg stealers. I have never seen a rat at my place either, but I know they are around as I live in the middle of corn and bean fields.
So, are they not closed up at night? Or are you just showing a pic of them. Do you happen to have a pic of their enclosure or confined area?

They do get closed up at night, but they free range during the day! It's hard to get a good pic of the coop from the inside but I did my best!!

 

[rosemary10]

They did it!!! I have two beautiful duck eggs!!! Finally

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

They did it!!! I have two beautiful duck eggs!!! Finally

Where did you find them?

 

[rosemary10]

Where did you find them?

They were behind the tarp I had set up in a corner!! My drake was sitting with the two hens grooming them afterwards haha!! My next question is, will the eggs be okay? I want them to hatch these and I know they wait to sit on them till it feels right but in the meantime are the eggs gonna be alright left alone? Temperature wise?

 

[Baybrio]

I've never moved eggs layed in a safe place, like your coop. My girls take great care of the eggs. They seem to know what to do. The nest spot looks great!

 

[rosemary10]

The eggs were left alone all day but they seem kinda cold now... will they still be good to hatch? I'm totally new to hatching things so any help is appreciated! Also is it likely both females will want to brood on the same nest? Will either want to brood at all? So many questions... AHHHHHH!!!!

 

[EverythingZen]

Muscovies will sit for 23 hours a day on their nest when they have finished laying and building it. They will hoard up to 20 eggs in the nest, but not all will make it, hence the high lay quantity. She might kick out the cold ones, but will be very protective of the bulk of them. She's found the best spot for these eggs. You don't need to move them. She will sit on them for 35 days before they hatch, so be ready for a bit of a long wait!

 

[EverythingZen]

And the girls shouldn't want to sit on anothers' nest. They are keen enough to get their own built. I've got 2 nesting at the moment and neither are interested in checking out the other nest.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

And the girls shouldn't want to sit on anothers' nest. They are keen enough to get their own built. I've got 2 nesting at the moment and neither are interested in checking out the other nest.

I don't know, but another byc member has a massive Muscovy nest with two ducks sitting on it.