Old fashioned Broody Thread for Ducks

[Valntyn]

First, all these babies are so adorable!!

As a first-time broody-mama mama, I'm so happy to see this thread. I've posted (in another thread) of our white Muscovy, BabyDuck, who is on Day 12, laying on 18 eggs -- none of which are hers, as far as I know. All the eggs under her came from our two chocolate girls, Echo & Holly, who moved to a second nest when BabyDuck took over the first. (Nothing goes simply the first time 'round, does it?!

)

Anyway, I went out to tend the ducks this morning, and look what I found!!!


Not the little girl... I already knew about her.

To the right of the picture is BabyDuck... and to the left... is Echo!! So now we're not only expecting a Hatch Day of July 7 for BabyDuck, we started counting today for Echo, with a Hatch Day of July 18! It's very exciting!

I do have a couple questions (so far), though, if anyone wouldn't mind answering...

-- In that left nest, Echo AND Holly (our third girl) have been laying eggs. We left six marked eggs in there (so between the two nests there was a total of 24 eggs) and have been collecting their 2 new eggs daily. I want to keep collecting Holly's eggs, which I'm assuming are under Echo... How does one go about collecting eggs from under a broody duck? Echo's not a people duck and usually runs from me when I get anywhere near her. This morning I was able to pet her, that's how much she did not want to get up from the nest. *chuckle* I didn't try to get her to leave the nest; I just couldn't help myself from stroking those lovely chocolate feathers.

-- I'd like to let Mother Nature do her thing and not interfere with the hatching eggs whatsoever, but I read a lot about people candling eggs, etc. Are there things I NEED to be doing for mamas and eggs or can I just sit back and watch this exciting adventure in a hands-off fashion and still hope for good results? I've heard Muscovies make the best mamas and I believe in Nature knows best, but I don't want to be naive to the detriment of everyone's health (and, to be honest, my full freezer, too).

 

[Miss Lydia]

First, all these babies are so adorable!!

As a first-time broody-mama mama, I'm so happy to see this thread. I've posted (in another thread) of our white Muscovy, BabyDuck, who is on Day 12, laying on 18 eggs -- none of which are hers, as far as I know. All the eggs under her came from our two chocolate girls, Echo & Holly, who moved to a second nest when BabyDuck took over the first. (Nothing goes simply the first time 'round, does it?!

)

Anyway, I went out to tend the ducks this morning, and look what I found!!!


Not the little girl... I already knew about her.

To the right of the picture is BabyDuck... and to the left... is Echo!! So now we're not only expecting a Hatch Day of July 7 for BabyDuck, we started counting today for Echo, with a Hatch Day of July 18! It's very exciting!

I do have a couple questions (so far), though, if anyone wouldn't mind answering...

-- In that left nest, Echo AND Holly (our third girl) have been laying eggs. We left six marked eggs in there (so between the two nests there was a total of 24 eggs) and have been collecting their 2 new eggs daily. I want to keep collecting Holly's eggs, which I'm assuming are under Echo... How does one go about collecting eggs from under a broody duck? Echo's not a people duck and usually runs from me when I get anywhere near her. This morning I was able to pet her, that's how much she did not want to get up from the nest. *chuckle* I didn't try to get her to leave the nest; I just couldn't help myself from stroking those lovely chocolate feathers.

-- I'd like to let Mother Nature do her thing and not interfere with the hatching eggs whatsoever, but I read a lot about people candling eggs, etc. Are there things I NEED to be doing for mamas and eggs or can I just sit back and watch this exciting adventure in a hands-off fashion and still hope for good results? I've heard Muscovies make the best mamas and I believe in Nature knows best, but I don't want to be naive to the detriment of everyone's health (and, to be honest, my full freezer, too).

YOUR GOING TO EAT THEIR BABIES? how could you

Just kidding. My chocolate girl does get off the nest once a day so when yours get off just go get the extra eggs and candle etc. what ever you want to do. Mostly I just sit back and enjoy the ride because really when mama is in control there isn't much else to do. If you want to collect while she is still there wear gloves and long sleeves because when they grab a hold of skin they hang on for dear life. OUCH. cute pic too.

 

[Valntyn]

YOUR GOING TO EAT THEIR BABIES? how could you

Just kidding. My chocolate girl does get off the nest once a day so when yours get off just go get the extra eggs and candle etc. what ever you want to do. Mostly I just sit back and enjoy the ride because really when mama is in control there isn't much else to do. If you want to collect while she is still there wear gloves and long sleeves because when they grab a hold of skin they hang on for dear life. OUCH. cute pic too.

*laugh* I know you're kidding, but you wouldn't be the first to say that to me. People who know me are shocked with this new homesteady lifestyle we've been building over the last few years -- not so much that I was ever a city girl or anything, but because I was always the animal lover, 16-year-long vegetarian, come to me if you've got critters you don't want anymore girl. Truth is, times, they are a'changin', right? This whole raising animals for food will be hard for me, I'm sure, especially at first, but I also know it's what we want. I just don't like to offend people when I tell them that yes, these animals will be loved, but they will also be eaten.

Anyway... our white girl, BabyDuck, does get off her nest once a day and for a while I was taking advantage of her absence, scooting back the straw cover on her nest long enough to make sure there weren't any additions laid in there to collect. I just didn't know if that was a common routine for broodies or what to expect. So thanks for that reassurance (and the tip about the gloves, just in case!).

I definitely want to keep collecting Holly's eggs from under Echo. I'll try for an every-other-day collection, I guess, that way I don't bug her as much. That should be okay, right?

On the bright side, at least BabyDuck now has company while she sits on her nest. *laugh*

 

[Going Quackers]

Yep, keep an eye out for mama duck to take a walkabout and then take what you want out. I never did candle the eggs under Lilly i never got that far.. i thought the nest was sunk.. imagine my shock when they all starting hatching!

I suck at candling anyhow, so frankly it wouldn't have told much lol

 

[Going Quackers]

Quackers they are adorable and I know you and your family are happy with the outcome.. Congrats!!!

Thank you! It's still a bit of a shock, to go out to so many little beaks and peeping babies lol I thought of this last night we have more than doubled our birds overnight no less!

"My plan" for now if they all live, is to keep them till about 5wks i should be able to tell who is what(gender wise) and then sell the rest... these better not be all boys!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you! It's still a bit of a shock, to go out to so many little beaks and peeping babies lol I thought of this last night we have more than doubled our birds overnight no less!

"My plan" for now if they all live, is to keep them till about 5wks i should be able to tell who is what(gender wise) and then sell the rest... these better not be all boys!

I hope their not all boys and you get a better percentage of girls too. Can't wait to see more pics, looks like you have some all whites and some colors. What about Liliac did any more hatch?

 

[Going Quackers]

I hope their not all boys and you get a better percentage of girls too. Can't wait to see more pics, looks like you have some all whites and some colors. What about Liliac did any more hatch?

I sure hope so, surely there must be a girl hidden in there.. wish they wore bows

A lot of the whites have touches of colour, Lilly is a solid white bird but spot(my oldest drake) is a black capped white so? plus the pair of blacks are possible mates too.

Lilac only has the egg no action there but it's probably best it doesn't seems like she is not mother material... i may just yank the egg .. i worry she'll just kill it anyways. I have tons and tons of pics and video, my kids keep taking my phone! it'll explode with all these on it..

I may take a step out and see if i can grab a good shot...

 

[Going Quackers]

Ok, nope Lilly is sleeping.. so cute she's standing so all the little fluffy ones can be under her .. this is another shot on my phone... the kids again have taken so many it's hard to dive through them all and find good ones... I noticed she has another 3-4? eggs under her.. should be interesting to see if they do anything.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok, nope Lilly is sleeping.. so cute she's standing so all the little fluffy ones can be under her .. this is another shot on my phone... the kids again have taken so many it's hard to dive through them all and find good ones... I noticed she has another 3-4? eggs under her.. should be interesting to see if they do anything.

Adorable!!

 

[Going Quackers]

Adorable!!

Thank you! My oldest daughters boyfriend already chose one he wants.. er.. boy you live in town!