Muscovy Fertility

[Olivia Fetterly]

Hi there. I have a almost two year old Muscovy recently re-homed to my backyard from her older home where the male drake was being brutal to her. I know he mated with the other duck in the pen and suspect he may have mated with the one I have now but cant confirm that. She started laying shortly after we brought her here and I do know for the first few days the eggs she laid were not fertile (I saved them, incubated them and candled them for days). She suddenly has gone broody over only two new eggs and its been 16 days since we removed her from the drake. Is it possible that these new eggs she's obsessed with are fertile?

 

[Aapomp831]

Hi there. I have a almost two year old Muscovy recently re-homed to my backyard from her older home where the male drake was being brutal to her. I know he mated with the other duck in the pen and suspect he may have mated with the one I have now but cant confirm that. She started laying shortly after we brought her here and I do know for the first few days the eggs she laid were not fertile (I saved them, incubated them and candled them for days). She suddenly has gone broody over only two new eggs and its been 16 days since we removed her from the drake. Is it possible that these new eggs she's obsessed with are fertile?

It’s possible, but she wouldn’t know whether it’s fertile or not. She could have never met a drake in her life and still go broody.

 

[Olivia Fetterly]

I see, so she could just be sitting on dud eggs. She was with him for months though during this spring and summer. I find it hard to believe they didn't breed. I suppose I must be patient and candle them in a few days.

 

[Everose]

I see, so she could just be sitting on dud eggs. She was with him for months though during this spring and summer. I find it hard to believe they didn't breed. I suppose I must be patient and candle them in a few days.

I believe I read somewhere that after being bred a chicken could lay fertile eggs for up to two weeks. Not sure if it's exactly the same with ducks but I don't see why it would be too different.

Let us know if they're growing! I'm intrigued

 

[Aapomp831]

I believe I read somewhere that after being bred a chicken could lay fertile eggs for up to two weeks. Not sure if it's exactly the same with ducks but I don't see why it would be too different.

Let us know if they're growing! I'm intrigued

She’s talking about ducks, but it’s still the same concept so you’re correct.
And yes, she could be sitting on duds and not know. A broody hen will sit on a pile of golf balls and wait for them to hatch. When it comes to fertility they are none the wiser.

 

[Olivia Fetterly]

Do these Muscovy eggs look viable to anyone? It's day 4 and I candled two of them. Oops these pictures are meant to say day 4 on them

 

[AutumnDawn]

Probably too early to tell. Try day 10. The second looks like it could have some vessel development.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can see veins around day 7 in my Muscovy's eggs.

 

[Olivia Fetterly]

Thank you all

 

[Luv Ducks]

She’s talking about ducks, but it’s still the same concept so you’re correct.
And yes, she could be sitting on duds and not know. A broody hen will sit on a pile of golf balls and wait for them to hatch. When it comes to fertility they are none the wiser.

My Mallard hen kept sitting on lots of eggs and I did not want that many ducklings. I replaced some of them with the fake eggs you can buy at TSC and also golf balls. She took every single fake egg and golf ball and threw them out of the nest. There were 12 of them and she did know the difference. I guess she was just one smart hen.