Muscovy nesting questions

[allanimals21]

Ok I have a few questions on nesting muscovies.

1. Is it normal for a hen to cover a nest after she leaves it? I noticed one of my hens on the nest this morning and she did leave another egg there. But when I went to count the eggs she had covered it with hay?

2. Is it normal for multiple hens to use the same nest? I have one nest that I watched 3 hens go to this morning. There were 3 eggs in it before they all got there and when I checked it this afternoon there were 5.

3. Is it normal for them to not sit yet? This is dumb I know but they will keep laying until they get enough and decide to sit right?

4. Why did my one hen not come home last night or this morning but she is here now this afternoon?

5. If I've found a nest but never see anyone on it will someone eventually sit on it? I found two nests one of which I know someone is adding eggs to but not sure who. Will someone eventually sit on it or should I pull the eggs?

6. Is it normal that I ask this many questions? lol

 

[lovesduckies]

i can answer some of your questions, not all..

1. Is it normal for a hen to cover a nest after she leaves it? I noticed one of my hens on the nest this morning and she did leave another egg there. But when I went to count the eggs she had covered it with hay?
yes. my hen covers hers with towels and tries to put my clothes in there since my clothes basket is next to her box so my drake doesn't mess with the eggs. (they live in my bedroom) i thought it was strange too and my friend cleared that up for me. she said they will cover them and told me that's what my duck is trying to do.

3. Is it normal for them to not sit yet? This is dumb I know but they will keep laying until they get enough and decide to sit right?
yes. i have 15 eggs, and she's not sitting yet. they won't sit till they have a full clutch

 

[keeperofthehearth]

1. Is it normal for a hen to cover a nest after she leaves it? I noticed one of my hens on the nest this morning and she did leave another egg there. But when I went to count the eggs she had covered it with hay?

Yes. Sometimes they cover, sometimes not. I do believe it depends on a number of factors: Personality of hen, location of nest and if hen feels nest is secure, temperture, timing in the incubation cycle, if you have disturbed the hens nest before, I've noticed they will start "hiding" the eggs sooner.

2. Is it normal for multiple hens to use the same nest? I have one nest that I watched 3 hens go to this morning. There were 3 eggs in it before they all got there and when I checked it this afternoon there were 5.

Yes. Scovies will have "dump" nests. One of the girls, possible the next to go broody, will brood that nest.

Is it normal for them to not sit yet? This is dumb I know but they will keep laying until they get enough and decide to sit right?

Yes.

Why did my one hen not come home last night or this morning but she is here now this afternoon?

There's a good chance she has started a nest somewhere else. You should watch & track her to see if that is the case. Many broodies will "sit" on their nests only at night until they are ready to brood. Sitting on the nest at night even though they aren't broody yet may be a protective function. It's easier also than beelining it over to their hidden nest sight early in the morning when they need to lay their egg.

One of my girls last year used to do that and if I was a bit late letting her out of the shed she'd scold me and practically run all the way.

Poor girl!

5. If I've found a nest but never see anyone on it will someone eventually sit on it? I found two nests one of which I know someone is adding eggs to but not sure who. Will someone eventually sit on it or should I pull the eggs?

Someone will sit on it. You could pull them or leave them & if you don't see anyone adding to it after a bit, add them to a nest once you have a Scovy hen brooding.

6. Is it normal that I ask this many questions? lol

Yes, better you ask if you don't know or are unsure than to worry about it.

 

[allanimals21]

Yea I noticed the running to the nests today. But when 7 take off running I had to chose the ones the closest. lol Like I said I know where 5 out of 8 have been dumping the eggs. But three I have not witnessed sitting anywhere. Thanks for all the answers. I worry though that it is getting below freezing at night here. Does that mean that the eggs are shot?

 

[sourland]

1,2,3,5, & 6--YES. 4, she may be starting to go broody, and you may not have located her nest yet. Eggs will stilll be OK unless they have actually frozen. The covering with bedding and or feathers helps to protect the eggs and retains some heat. I have seen duck and goose nests covered with snow that remained viable. Happens all of the time to wild ducks and geese.

 

[allanimals21]

yea that hen left again sometime this evening. I didnt catch her leaving but when I went to round everyone up for the night she was no where to be found again.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

She definitly has a clutch somewhere. Hopefully, someplace halfway safe fm predators. If you can find her & her clutch it will give you a chance to try and "secure" it if need be. I had a Scovy hen start a nest in our carport last year. Her nest was up against the back wall. I was able to take the top off of our dog house and place it over her nest, then I made a screen out of 1/4 hardwire cloth and each night when she went in placed it in front of the doorway and set a heavy ceramic planter pot in front. She hatched out a clutch of 10 ducklings in there.

 

[allanimals21]

I'm fairly certain she is near the dog run. So that should help keep her a little safer. I've seen her come from the direction before. Either that or she is in the wood pile. I will just have to keep looking and trying to find her.