OMG I am so excited !!!!!!

Miss Lydia · Oct 5, 2022

She has her reasons. What if she lays 20 eggs ( which Muscovy have been known to do)before they are ready to brood, are you going to let her sit them all? What’s the plan for the ducklings? Sorry not being nosey just wondering. PS you have the right to tell me to mind my own business.

ProudRedneck · Oct 5, 2022

Hmmm, I dunno to be honest. I've read that cross-breeding is only a 20%-30% chance of being fertile so I would hate to lessen those odds by removing eggs but I hear you and am definitely not in a position to have 22 freakin ducks all of a sudden.
:barnie

I am, however, most definitely wanting an offspring from her and Daisy and we are building a bigger coop & run but that's just because of discussing we need two more females for Daisy to give Daffy a break.

Side note: I need to post and get some advice on what I am thinking is trauma to Daffy's caruncles from Daisy grabbing ahold of them during mating, also she seemed to have a runny nose today and yesterday but it is clear like water. (Separate post coming for all that)

I guess what I am waiting for at the moment is for her to start sitting, do the first candling after 7 days and make a decision on how many to let her keep. I mean if only 6 out of 20 (30% fertility) then I would be ecstatic to have that many from her and then just not allow her to hatch anymore after that. I hate that I get attached so easily and can make everything sentimental without trying to. It makes decisions like my first duck, rescued from certain death, having her first clutch of possible babies....I just can't make a broad decision like that.

Please, DON'T mind your own business.....talking with you and others that have gone through this helps me talk things out, think things through, and perhaps bring me down to reality :hugs

Miss Lydia · Oct 5, 2022

You have all eggs marked so when she begins sitting take the oldest away and keep the newest I wouldn't let her sit more than 8 her first hatch. They have to learn how to care for their ducklings and sometimes first-time mamas don't do all that well. This is what I'd do but the difference is I didn't have to worry about fertilization since it was Muscovy to Muscovy.
I can see you love your ducks I just don't want to see you or Daffy overwhelmed her first hatch. :hugs

ProudRedneck · Oct 5, 2022

Oooohhh

I love that idea, of taking the oldest away, but what if when I candle them, they are the ones developing? Or are you suggesting I don't wait to find out, just toss them before I know? OOOOO I don't think I could do that :hit

Or toss the ones that aren't developing and only leave the "good" ones? Now THAT, I could do with no problem.

GOD help me if they all are fertile on her first clutch
:th