Muscovy questions :)

[BradyK]

I received a phone call while I was sick with pneumonia. A friend found a Muscovy newborn in the grass in front of her apartment. It was tiny and still had the egg tooth so it was just hatched. She spent the day, in between keeping it warm, searching for a mother. Allowing it to peep and walking a huge radius and found nothing. She called me because I hatch chickens and ask me to take it. She had nothing to feed or keep it warm.
I was at home sick so set up my brooder and took it in. I had non medicated chicken feed etc. I looked up the basics.
The baby duck has done well but I know nothing about ducks.
I held it and snuggled it and when I felt better to my surprise I read that by now it was already imprinted on me. Yes indeed it has. As well as my entire family. I also read find another duck. Never have one duck. I am in Florida by the gulf and no one had a Muscovy baby. This Muscovy duck is now 4 and a half weeks old. Precious but all alone.
#1. I am going to ruin the poor thing by keeping it alone?
#2 I do have a 8 x 8 foot pond and can introduce it to my six chickens, but I don't think until Spring correct?
#3 It wears a diaper when out and seems to be happy. So far I am feeding chick starter non medicated and adding some deep greens and peas for extra. Should I be adding anything else to the diet?
I give it a small amount of water in a clean new paint rolling pan to clean nostrils every day for a few minutes. More or Less?
When I do something I want to do it right and I worry. Should I add extra Niacin? Change food soon? The wings look so small to me and feathering has only started on his tail.
I say his but I think it is a hen. Smaller feet and legs. I will try to get a picture.
I love my little Dexi Duck but ducks are so new to me. She is plump and well fed. No junk. Thank you so much to anyone that can give me advice. I am typing from my work computer and I am not sure I can sign on to respond on my phone from home so if I don't respond right away I sure will on Monday when back in front of the computer. Thanks soo sooo much.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

That poor duckling getting separated from its family is traumatic, good that she has found a new home!
I'm not experienced with Muscovy ducks, but i know that mallard derived ducklings should have water available 24/7 to clean their nostrils and to drink. Ducks drink a lot! And a lot more! Additional Niacin is never a mistake, too much will just be expelled so you can't overdose.
You should try to find a Muscovy friend for her, even though she is imprinted with you she needs another duck, chickens won't cut it, Quack and Cluck are different languages. Some meal-worms or other dried insects are always a welcome treat - but i think you already know that from your chickens.
Other than that, you're doing fine. Have fun with the little one!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like your doing great so far. You might want to make one of these so the little one can duck it's head often especially when eating very important for health and they literally wash their feed down.

The little one needs to be completely feathered in before going outside for good. but on nice days you should take it outside and let it get sunshine and exercise. And of course meet the rest of the family of birds, just watch the chickens don't get nasty since this is a newbie and they don't always take to newbies on their territory. My Muscovy duckling was fine with out other ducklings he was rejected by his mama so we had no choice than to bring him in, He was inside until 4 weeks then moved out into a stall in the coop it was June so weather was nice. Mine turned out to be a drake so by 12 weeks we had gotten him 3 girls of his own to grow up with since my other drake his daddy would have never allowed him to have any of his females. If it's possible to find another duckling around yours age you don't have to go with Muscovy. We have a member here who had a Rouen Female and got 2 Muscovy for her friends and they are very bonded to one another. You just introduce slowly so they get use to one another. I have Muscovy, Runners and Buffs and all live peaceable with each other. Are you thinking of keeping your duckling as a house duck? if so we have other here that also have house ducks [only one] but if eventually your duckling is going to live outside it would def be best to get at least 1-2 friends. And if this one did turn out to be a drake then at least 3 females for him.

 

[BradyK]

That poor duckling getting separated from its family is traumatic, good that she has found a new home!
I'm not experienced with Muscovy ducks, but i know that mallard derived ducklings should have water available 24/7 to clean their nostrils and to drink. Ducks drink a lot! And a lot more! Additional Niacin is never a mistake, too much will just be expelled so you can't overdose.
You should try to find a Muscovy friend for her, even though she is imprinted with you she needs another duck, chickens won't cut it, Quack and Cluck are different languages. Some meal-worms or other dried insects are always a welcome treat - but i think you already know that from your chickens.
Other than that, you're doing fine. Have fun with the little one!

Thanks so much. We love her. Love the information!

 

[BradyK]

Sounds like your doing great so far. You might want to make one of these so the little one can duck it's head often especially when eating very important for health and they literally wash their feed down.

The little one needs to be completely feathered in before going outside for good. but on nice days you should take it outside and let it get sunshine and exercise. And of course meet the rest of the family of birds, just watch the chickens don't get nasty since this is a newbie and they don't always take to newbies on their territory. My Muscovy duckling was fine with out other ducklings he was rejected by his mama so we had no choice than to bring him in, He was inside until 4 weeks then moved out into a stall in the coop it was June so weather was nice. Mine turned out to be a drake so by 12 weeks we had gotten him 3 girls of his own to grow up with since my other drake his daddy would have never allowed him to have any of his females. If it's possible to find another duckling around yours age you don't have to go with Muscovy. We have a member here who had a Rouen Female and got 2 Muscovy for her friends and they are very bonded to one another. You just introduce slowly so they get use to one another. I have Muscovy, Runners and Buffs and all live peaceable with each other. Are you thinking of keeping your duckling as a house duck? if so we have other here that also have house ducks [only one] but if eventually your duckling is going to live outside it would def be best to get at least 1-2 friends. And if this one did turn out to be a drake then at least 3 females for him.

I am trying to find friends for it. I love the device to get water. She has constant access to water. But very messy. I am going to post a picture of it below. Our duck is five weeks now and i worry that her wings have lost hair in the top. Is this a part of the feathering process ? Also would love advice on male or female. Not sure if sex.

 

[duluthralphie]

[QUOTE="BradyK, post: 20750928, member: 396993]
#1. I am going to ruin the poor thing by keeping it alone?
[/QUOTE]


I am an expert on dux... just ask @Miss Lydia ..... you cannot ruin a Dux... they come that way when are spawned ,,,,,,,




Ps let us know where it came from if you ever figure it out

 

[BradyK]

I have totally messed this posting up
Because I am doing it by phone. So sorry. Thanks for words of encouragement by the way. I am dying to find out what sex we have. All of my pictures posted twice. I am taking all of the advice you can give and really appreciate it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducklings can lose down and look bare can you see any feathers starting to grow?
Too young to tell sex give it about 3 more weeks or 4 then post more pics. When we only have one it makes it double hard because we have nothing to compare them with. Hope you can soon find some friends for the little one sure is cute. Have you gone on your states thread at "where am I where are you" might find someone with ducklings.

 

[BradyK]

Ducklings can lose down and look bare can you see any feathers starting to grow?
Too young to tell sex give it about 3 more weeks or 4 then post more pics. When we only have one it makes it double hard because we have nothing to compare them with. Hope you can soon find some friends for the little one sure is cute. Have you gone on your states thread at "where am I where are you" might find someone with ducklings.

Thanks so much. Disregard my request to take a look at the pictures. Thanks so much. No I will go on and look soon for another duck. Mainly I thought I would wait as having two inside through the cold winter is going to be harder but if you think I should get another real soon I will. P.S. yes I see what looks like feather coming in.I am relieved.

 

[BradyK]

Here is an update. My father has had heart issues and open heart surgery so Dex our Muscovy continues to grow as a loner duck pet in the house and chicken yard. Is there anyone that may be able to determine if we have a male or female? Here are pics of 10 week old Dexter or Dexy. LOL. So sweet and precious and loved.