Old Philosopher
Songster
I have just verified that Muscovies are either dinosaurs, or the 3rd smartest bird on the planet!
My lady started laying for the 3rd year. She started laying in the duck house, but then moved to a corner of her yard. I found a pecked egg and discovered the responsible party was the European Collared Doves that had been raiding the feed trays for her and her mate.
She then moved her nest under the duck house (where she she had raised 10 ducklings her first year). The doves found them there, rolled them out into the yard and ate them.
Then she seemed to stop laying. I figured the predation had triggered something and she'd given up.
So on a whim a few days later, I reached under the duck house and felt around a bit. When I was done, I'd unearthed 4 eggs she had buried! She'd lay an egg, and then scoop dirt over it to hide it! I felt like a paleontologist digging up a prehistoric raptor's nest! BTW, Momma was not amused that I had discovered them.
My lady started laying for the 3rd year. She started laying in the duck house, but then moved to a corner of her yard. I found a pecked egg and discovered the responsible party was the European Collared Doves that had been raiding the feed trays for her and her mate.
She then moved her nest under the duck house (where she she had raised 10 ducklings her first year). The doves found them there, rolled them out into the yard and ate them.
Then she seemed to stop laying. I figured the predation had triggered something and she'd given up.
So on a whim a few days later, I reached under the duck house and felt around a bit. When I was done, I'd unearthed 4 eggs she had buried! She'd lay an egg, and then scoop dirt over it to hide it! I felt like a paleontologist digging up a prehistoric raptor's nest! BTW, Momma was not amused that I had discovered them.
