Muscovy keepers share your pics!

[FoodFreedomNow]

I just set 13 muscovy eggs. First ones ever. I'm excited to have some ducky babies to follow me around

35 days incubation right?

35days. Yup yup. I've got my new hens first three incubating(ones a twin) Good luck. Be sure to keep an eye on that air sac!

I have several girls that have gone broody (after I set my eggs!) and they really are the incubation experts...would love to give some eggs to them to hatch, but I don't have broody runs set up yet. One poor girl just sits on the eggs in the nest box in the coop and when she takes a brief break for breakfast, I steal them. Makes me feel a bit guilty.

I find that I get better results by lowering the humidity - no yellow goo issues, and the ducklings seem to be better able to get out of those extra-tough shells. When I incubate Muscovy eggs, I'm always prepared to intervene if appropriate; sometimes helping them zip a little is all that's needed.

Hope you have a great hatch!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I am new to muscovy ducks, well, ducks period. I bought 2 hens from a farmer, appear perfectly healthy And one is laying. And I bought 2 drakes from a lady with a variety of critters. The one drake has dubbed himself the top duck over the 2 hens and now the other is an outcast, just waddling around with my nice chickens (i intended to get him some ladies!) I too notice a foamy substance in the corners of his eyes from time to time. Mostly when its cold and windy, or when he is being chased around by the other drake. Perhaps stress?? Thoughts?!

Seems possible to me - my drake has also been embroiled in dominance struggles lately, but that may just be a coincidence. Cold/windy weather as a contributor makes sense...the pools aren't out when it's very cold, and often it's windy then, too. Interesting ideas!

Fortunately, once he's able to bathe in the pools again, his eyes seem to be fine.

 

[rookhomestead]

When you say lowering the humidity, do you mean during the incubation period?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

When you say lowering the humidity, do you mean during the incubation period?

Yes, lowering it from the "recommended" humidity of 45-55% (I run it closer to 30-40%) until lockdown...basically, dry hatching.

 

[rookhomestead]

I don't see my foamy eyes drake in the pools. He tends to stay down the hill. Maybe I'll move one closer. The other 3 really only use the one anyway.

 

[rookhomestead]

Yes, lowering it from the "recommended" humidity of 45-55% (I run it closer to 30-40%) until lockdown...basically, dry hatching.

Hmmm, I was considering the idea, since my air cells looked small and I had heard stories of the goo. I started lowering it today from 6x% hopefully there's time to correct it. Its day 22. Fingers crossed for live babies

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hmmm, I was considering the idea, since my air cells looked small and I had heard stories of the goo. I started lowering it today from 6x% hopefully there's time to correct it. Its day 22. Fingers crossed for live babies

There are a lot of variables to incubation, so they could be just fine even with higher humidity. If there are any problems, though, you can make changes to the process next time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ooh, any thoughts on a blue eyed muscovy.. My white female Has blue eyes. I'm new to them so I don't know how common that is.

i beleive all whites have blue eyes I had 3 solid whites and all 3 had blue eyes. my Embden gander who is solid white has blue eyes too. beautiful blue eyes.

 

[rookhomestead]

Cool. I'm pretty sure Shes my layer. Maybe I'll get some blue eyed babies!?

 

[pepperpellets]

Chicken Jane found a comfy corner in the duck house next to two nesting Muscovies.