Past 35 days

[Genipher]

My Muscovy started setting on her latest clutch around the first few days of March. Yesterday I saw a bit of broken shell in her nest and I could hear peeping. I figured the eggs were hatching and I let mama be. Today I checked and I haven't seen any ducklings. Mama is still setting. It's been over 35 days. I tried lifting her a bit tonight to see under her, but couldn't get a good look. Should I give her more time or should I pick her up and see what's going on? If I heard faint peeping yesterday but there's no ducklings today, does that mean they didn't make it out of the eggs?

I'm just...not sure if I should disturb her or if she needs more time. Do Muscovy hatchings ever go past 35 days?

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

My Muscovy started setting on her latest clutch around the first few days of March. Yesterday I saw a bit of broken shell in her nest and I could hear peeping. I figured the eggs were hatching and I let mama be. Today I checked and I haven't seen any ducklings. Mama is still setting. It's been over 35 days. I tried lifting her a bit tonight to see under her, but couldn't get a good look. Should I give her more time or should I pick her up and see what's going on? If I heard faint peeping yesterday but there's no ducklings today, does that mean they didn't make it out of the eggs?

I'm just...not sure if I should disturb her or if she needs more time. Do Muscovy hatchings ever go past 35 days?

I've seen sources say 35-37 days. I'd give her some more time, especially if she's an experienced momma.

 

[Genipher]

I've seen sources say 35-37 days. I'd give her some more time, especially if she's an experienced momma.

Should I be concerned that I heard peeping noises and then it stopped?

 

[Genipher]

So I took a peek this morning. I KNOW there were originally 6 eggs. Now there's only 2. One of the eggs is gray and white--maybe it's rotting? The other looks fine.

This is really frustrating. I'm thinking I might just sneak a couple of goslings from the feed store under her and take the eggs.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

Should I be concerned that I heard peeping noises and then it stopped?

They could have just been resting, but it's possible something went wrong. Is she experienced? I wouldn't sneak any babies under her if she's not especially if this hatch is unsuccessful.

 

[Genipher]

They could have just been resting, but it's possible something went wrong. Is she experienced? I wouldn't sneak any babies under her if she's not especially if this hatch is unsuccessful.

She hatched out 10 last year (only 3 ended up surviving, not sure why).

 

[CaroleW]

I've seen sources say 35-37 days. I'd give her some more time, especially if she's an experienced momma.

Holderread book says Muscovey's take 33-35 days. Longer than normal egg storage or low incubation temperatures can delay hatch beyond that time frame.

 

[Genipher]

Just found a smushed egg in her nest. Like something had started to hatch and then got crushed.

Tried candling the other two eggs but, honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing. It looked like there was a big air pocket near the fat end of the egg and the rest of the egg was dark.

 

[Genipher]

Holderread book says Muscovey's take 33-35 days. Longer than normal egg storage or low incubation temperatures can delay hatch beyond that time frame.

Ah, I didn't realize temperature could delay hatching. It's been swinging between warm and rainy here in Oregon. I'm pretty sure she started setting on the 1st or 2nd of March. Maybe they're not as far along as I thought!