Muscovy started laying in winter- egg troubles. help!

[ButtaCup]

Thanks for all your help! @ButtaCup Do you keep the mother duck and her ducklings separated from the other birds?
And @Going Quackers , when you had the ducklings in March, did you have to separate the ducklings from the mother and keep them under a heat lamp? Or was their mom's warmth enough for them to stay with her outside?

I don't separate any of the ducks, the mothers are VERY, VERY protective. They will run any of the ducks off, or the drakes for that matter, and mine won't allow the drakes to breed them again until they are several weeks old.

I know the 2nd question wasn't for me, but my moms always manage to keep the babies warm no matter how early their first clutch is hatched.

 

[Going Quackers]

I don't separate any of the ducks, the mothers are VERY, VERY protective. They will run any of the ducks off, or the drakes for that matter, and mine won't allow the drakes to breed them again until they are several weeks old.

I know the 2nd question wasn't for me, but my moms always manage to keep the babies warm no matter how early their first clutch is hatched.

as did mine, as i said it wasn't the babies it was HER.

and also mothering skills vary, so you will have to see how each one responds to the task.. generally scovies are good broodies, mums but their are exceptions.

 

[ButtaCup]

as did mine, as i said it wasn't the babies it was HER.

and also mothering skills vary, so you will have to see how each one responds to the task.. generally scovies are good broodies, mums but their are exceptions.

You are correct. And in my area, we don't usually have severe cold (this year is an exception), so my birds, no matter the breed, have it a bit easier than in colder climates. Less stress from weather or an other conditions (predators, etc.) helps make it easier for them to be good moms.

 

[BlackChicken]

We keep our two ducks and six chickens in the same coop. Do you think this would be okay for the ducklings? We've gotten 24 eggs so far (one a day) and she is still laying, but we're collecting them because of the cold.

 

[rebecca dawn]

Hi I just started using this site. I have a 2year old female muscovy who has built a nest in her house and has sat on clutch of 8 eggs for about 30 days. I noticed about 4 days ago that she was leaving the nest for long periods during the day only to return at dusk to sit on them. What do I do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi I just started using this site. I have a 2year old female muscovy who has built a nest in her house and has sat on clutch of 8 eggs for about 30 days. I noticed about 4 days ago that she was leaving the nest for long periods during the day only to return at dusk to sit on them. What do I do?

shes either giving up or something else is wrong. Have you candled any of them? I'd candle all of them to see if anything is going on.

Here's a chart to help. http://wildliferehabber.com/candling-eggs

http://www.metzerfarms.com/Candling.cfm