My two Muscovy girls who are BFFs went broody a little while back. I wanted more Muscovies, and decided to try hatching eggs, since they were ready. I bought a dozen fertile eggs off Craigslist and put them in the nest. The girls have spent the past 30+ days rolling them from nest to nest, splitting them, throwing eggs out, and setting together. When they would kick an egg out I would leave it for a day and if they didn't roll it back, I threw it out, assuming it was bad or infertile.
With five left, they started to hatch on Friday night (exactly 35 days from the time they started full-time setting). I have two babies (OMG they are SOOO cute!). I have one baby hatching now, but I'm not sure if it's going to make it as it's been trying to get out for awhile and I did not see any movement this morning. And I haven't been able to get an eye on the other two eggs. I was told by the local fowl shop that the babies would probably not hatch with the ducks rolling them back and forth and I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so I was actually shocked when they began to hatch. I had to run out to get crumbles and chick grit for everyone!
The moms seem to be excellent mothers and get this -- there is serious co-parenting going on here. The girls are even laying their heads across each other's backs and cuddling and the babies often lay between them. When one girl gets up to eat, drink, and poo, the other "watches the kids". It's really amazing! I live in Portland, OR so my friends all joke around about how progressive they are. ;-)
I have the non-medicated crumbles, baby water, adult big bucket of water (that the chicks cannot get to unless someone puts them in there), and chick grit. No one can get out of the coop/pen (very secure) and there is straw on the ground and shelter. As far as I know I'm all set. The babies eat, though I haven't seem them drink, but seeing how active they are, they seem to be doing great (so far). The girls are happy with their babies, not aggressive, and happily sharing their duties.
My questions are about the remaining eggs. I can't get in there to really check them out because the moms will try to peck my eyes out! They have become very protective since the hatch. Do I just wait until the moms give up? Today is day 38 and they are still setting on those eggs. I could probably use a tool of some sort to roll the eggs out and have a look, but do I need to?
Thanks!
With five left, they started to hatch on Friday night (exactly 35 days from the time they started full-time setting). I have two babies (OMG they are SOOO cute!). I have one baby hatching now, but I'm not sure if it's going to make it as it's been trying to get out for awhile and I did not see any movement this morning. And I haven't been able to get an eye on the other two eggs. I was told by the local fowl shop that the babies would probably not hatch with the ducks rolling them back and forth and I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so I was actually shocked when they began to hatch. I had to run out to get crumbles and chick grit for everyone!
The moms seem to be excellent mothers and get this -- there is serious co-parenting going on here. The girls are even laying their heads across each other's backs and cuddling and the babies often lay between them. When one girl gets up to eat, drink, and poo, the other "watches the kids". It's really amazing! I live in Portland, OR so my friends all joke around about how progressive they are. ;-)
I have the non-medicated crumbles, baby water, adult big bucket of water (that the chicks cannot get to unless someone puts them in there), and chick grit. No one can get out of the coop/pen (very secure) and there is straw on the ground and shelter. As far as I know I'm all set. The babies eat, though I haven't seem them drink, but seeing how active they are, they seem to be doing great (so far). The girls are happy with their babies, not aggressive, and happily sharing their duties.
My questions are about the remaining eggs. I can't get in there to really check them out because the moms will try to peck my eyes out! They have become very protective since the hatch. Do I just wait until the moms give up? Today is day 38 and they are still setting on those eggs. I could probably use a tool of some sort to roll the eggs out and have a look, but do I need to?
Thanks!
