Muscovy laying to early

[BlackChicken]

Our muscovy started laying in January and the eggs would freeze and crack if we didn't bring them in.. We heard that collecting the eggs could cause her to stop laying or hide the nest so we put a few golf balls in the nest, thinking it might trick her so she would keep laying and maybe become broody, even though her eggs were gone.. It worked! She layed about 30 eggs and eventually sat on the golf balls. After a day of her consistently sitting on the golf balls, we swapped them for 16 of her eggs that we kept inside. 14 of the 16 hatched two days ago!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Our muscovy started laying in January and the eggs would freeze and crack if we didn't bring them in.. We heard that collecting the eggs could cause her to stop laying or hide the nest so we put a few golf balls in the nest, thinking it might trick her so she would keep laying and maybe become broody, even though her eggs were gone.. It worked! She layed about 30 eggs and eventually sat on the golf balls. After a day of her consistently sitting on the golf balls, we swapped them for 16 of her eggs that we kept inside. 14 of the 16 hatched two days ago!

Very sweet pic and Congrats, also

 

[Buck Oakes]

Field day!

 

[scovyduck]

Very cool pics, I am jealous of the grass in that last one
Can't wait for spring!

 

[Buck Oakes]

Yeah it was spring maybe at the end of February here but it could have been early march either way it came early this year

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yeah it was spring maybe at the end of February here but it could have been early march either way it came early this year

Beautiful babies Buck and I too am looking for some green grass.

 

[scovyduck]

Well I decided to let her do her thing and raise a clutch she now is on day 15 of brooding. Can I candle her eggs without spooking her off of the nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I decided to let her do her thing and raise a clutch she now is on day 15 of brooding. Can I candle her eggs without spooking her off of the nest.

I do it, I take about 4 at a time put them into a small box lined with a hand towel carry them into my feed room since it's dark and candle then i take a marker and mark starting at #1 that way I know the ones I have started with candle them all and toss any that haven't developed. My mamas never fuss as long as i leave them with eggs while i'm candling Let us know what you see.

 

[Buck Oakes]

Don't put marker on the egg! The toxins can go through the pores and kill the embryo ! Use a pencil

 

[scovyduck]

Tried and failed she bit me and the male attacked my backside, all in the dark. She kind of lurched on her eggs, so I hope none broke. Might just have to take her word for it.