Hi all, Bride of Kwyjibo here......
Thanks in advance for any advice you have for me. I can sure use your experience! Ok, first problem..........
A week ago I bought 2 muscovy hens and 1 duckling (now ~4 w.o.). Originally, I was just going to get the hen that was advertised on Craigslist as being bullied by some in her flock. They wouldn't allow her to nest or even be near them. She has injuries and missing feathers on her "shoulders" but looks to be healing up very nicely now. The people I bought her from offered me another hen as they are downsizing their flock and a single duckling they said was the only one in it's clutch to hatch and there were no other ducklings at the time. So, they'd been keeping it warm and safe inside in a brooder. The other adult female is fine and has no injuries and appears very healthy. In fact, she was brooding a set of eggs that were infertile--the people said they had meant to collect the eggs but waited too long and had neglected to do so even after. I am keeping them in the coop 24/7 for now.
While I know about the wonderful qualities of muscovies, I know nothing of how they behave together and what is considered "normal". Anyway, the one that was bullied is behaving like the Queen Bee and pecks at the other adult hen sometimes....but it doesn't look like it's very hard. Sometimes Queen Bee kindof "mouths" the other but it's intention seems to say---"Hey, Watch it sister" and it's usually around food, but sometimes I'm not sure what it's about. Other times it's a harder peck but still nothing that seems like pulling feathers or biting. The other hen--I'll call her "Broody" for now--they don't have names yet----returns the pecks and mouthing sometimes but much gentler--sometimes not even making contact. Is Queen Bee going to be a bully? Or is this just normal stuff? If she's a bully what do you do about it? I've caught her in the act when she's about to do it and give her a "look and a tone" like you would with a dog and she really eyeballs me like she's deciding whether or not to go ahead and do it. I can see the wheels a'spinnin' in her little head.
Ok, Problem #2.....the duckling which is the cutest thing that ever existed in the entire universe....
I've kept it indoors until today because it caught cold ( I have it on medicine and it's doing really great) but put it out today in a large wire dog crate w/ a heat lamp to be on the safe side. ( We're in Northern WA state and I don't think it has even broken 80 degrees yet--gets down to low 50's at night. I will bring it in at night and keep it in the coop during the day.) Since the duckling is a single, I know it's important that it doesn't imprint on me and I want it to know the big ducks so I can avoid getting another baby duck. I was hoping "Broody" would take an interest in the duckling and she has but I'm not sure what her angle is........I had the baby out of the cage and stayed there so they could interact w/out the cage. Both Queen Bee and Broody peck or nip at the baby. Queen Bee seems to be saying "Get lost, kid" and Broody while very interested does the same thing but not as hard. Watching them while baby is in the cage (the dog crate has enough room for the hen's beaks but not their head and it's large so baby can keep its distance) , Both the adult hens are wanting to peck, mouth the baby or mess with him/her in some way. I don't want the baby to end up being a target like Queen Bee was in her old flock. It's only been one day, the big girls see me handling the baby and feeding her a bit of greens and they see me take her out of the coop for a walkabout.
Problem #3........
How long do I keep Queen Bee and Broody in the coop before I allow them to free range? And when do I allow baby to live without the kennel/cage?
What say you?
Bridge of Kwijybo
Thanks in advance for any advice you have for me. I can sure use your experience! Ok, first problem..........
A week ago I bought 2 muscovy hens and 1 duckling (now ~4 w.o.). Originally, I was just going to get the hen that was advertised on Craigslist as being bullied by some in her flock. They wouldn't allow her to nest or even be near them. She has injuries and missing feathers on her "shoulders" but looks to be healing up very nicely now. The people I bought her from offered me another hen as they are downsizing their flock and a single duckling they said was the only one in it's clutch to hatch and there were no other ducklings at the time. So, they'd been keeping it warm and safe inside in a brooder. The other adult female is fine and has no injuries and appears very healthy. In fact, she was brooding a set of eggs that were infertile--the people said they had meant to collect the eggs but waited too long and had neglected to do so even after. I am keeping them in the coop 24/7 for now.
While I know about the wonderful qualities of muscovies, I know nothing of how they behave together and what is considered "normal". Anyway, the one that was bullied is behaving like the Queen Bee and pecks at the other adult hen sometimes....but it doesn't look like it's very hard. Sometimes Queen Bee kindof "mouths" the other but it's intention seems to say---"Hey, Watch it sister" and it's usually around food, but sometimes I'm not sure what it's about. Other times it's a harder peck but still nothing that seems like pulling feathers or biting. The other hen--I'll call her "Broody" for now--they don't have names yet----returns the pecks and mouthing sometimes but much gentler--sometimes not even making contact. Is Queen Bee going to be a bully? Or is this just normal stuff? If she's a bully what do you do about it? I've caught her in the act when she's about to do it and give her a "look and a tone" like you would with a dog and she really eyeballs me like she's deciding whether or not to go ahead and do it. I can see the wheels a'spinnin' in her little head.
Ok, Problem #2.....the duckling which is the cutest thing that ever existed in the entire universe....
I've kept it indoors until today because it caught cold ( I have it on medicine and it's doing really great) but put it out today in a large wire dog crate w/ a heat lamp to be on the safe side. ( We're in Northern WA state and I don't think it has even broken 80 degrees yet--gets down to low 50's at night. I will bring it in at night and keep it in the coop during the day.) Since the duckling is a single, I know it's important that it doesn't imprint on me and I want it to know the big ducks so I can avoid getting another baby duck. I was hoping "Broody" would take an interest in the duckling and she has but I'm not sure what her angle is........I had the baby out of the cage and stayed there so they could interact w/out the cage. Both Queen Bee and Broody peck or nip at the baby. Queen Bee seems to be saying "Get lost, kid" and Broody while very interested does the same thing but not as hard. Watching them while baby is in the cage (the dog crate has enough room for the hen's beaks but not their head and it's large so baby can keep its distance) , Both the adult hens are wanting to peck, mouth the baby or mess with him/her in some way. I don't want the baby to end up being a target like Queen Bee was in her old flock. It's only been one day, the big girls see me handling the baby and feeding her a bit of greens and they see me take her out of the coop for a walkabout.
Problem #3........
How long do I keep Queen Bee and Broody in the coop before I allow them to free range? And when do I allow baby to live without the kennel/cage?
What say you?
Bridge of Kwijybo
