Muscovy duckling hatching (pictures)

[Miss Lydia]

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yep my drake sounded like a hen for quite awhile, but she has feathered so quick I am thinking you have a hen.

 

[DrChickenKev]

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yep my drake sounded like a hen for quite awhile, but she has feathered so quick I am thinking you have a hen.

She's only about 6 wks old, incredible growth in past two weeks... and yes almost all her down has gone

I'm going to try her outside with the other hens in the next hour, just to introduce and give her a run outside

 

[DrChickenKev]

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very Pretty and I think Stilettos would be a little much, you don't want her towering over the boys when she first meets them.

Fair point, well made...

 

[DrChickenKev]

ok, Jools first steps outside and introduction to the other girls....

I find all these little things fascinating, but interestingly two of the hens were preening the duckling, very maternal behaviour...

We put Pops outside the pen and of course he was hissing away, jerking his neck and tail for good measure, and generally stromping up and down outside the pen

She's back inside now, try again tomorrow...

 

[Wulfandwyn]

Jools is adorable!

 

[jdywntr]

Glad to hear she is doing well.

 

[Evelle]

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you know ive seen this with my friends geese!!!!
the both adoptied the little ones right away like its in their genetic makeup to be mothers..
it was strange they where 2 years old and never seen a baby goose or duck we put the three in the coop expecting the worse to happen and they were preening them and keeping them warm protcting them from her chickens it was very interesting.

and by the way i am just in love with her!! she is soooo pretty!!

 

[DrChickenKev]

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It's quite amazing isn't it, I'm thinking of encouraging them to nest with their eggs in spring rather than use an incubator again as they seem so very maternal

And I am glad you like her so much

 

[Miss Lydia]

All your Muscovies are beautiful, and good idea about letting your girls brood in the spring they make great mommies. and of course the drakes have to be macho man.

 

[Evelle]

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