Rescued Duckling... newbie

[Miss Lydia]

Nice maybe you’ll have to buy another?

 

[Raenh]

lol mom vetoed that idea. We're going to try to combine the original brooder/nesting box to the coop to make it larger inside. I'm going to add a shutter to the screened in part so I can raise and lower it as needed. Also, going to cut a hold in the removable side of coop and put hardware cloth over it to make like a screen, so when soda goes into his hormonal stage we can separate as needed so they can still see each other, but he can't jump them or sugar at night since she's about 6 weeks younger then him.
We were gonna do it this weekend, but it rained all weekend. Now, I'm over planning for how the heck do I keep them separate during the day?!?!

 

[Miss Lydia]

He has 4 females right? he'll breed them all most likely so maybe you wont have to separate them at all I have never had to separate my Muscovy drake from his females. No mating til next year most likely.

 

[Raenh]

I hope so, I just worry that sugar will be to young still when he goes into his first hormonal stage.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not sure about Texas and whether not having a really cold winter has anything to do with it but my Muscovy's are usually 8-9 months old before mating begins then eggs.

 

[Raenh]

Speedy was about 7-8 months if I remember correctly. I remember her running and jumping in my arms constantly trying to get away from Fancy's attentions, but she was the only female then...

 

[Raenh]

I'm not worrying about right this second, just planning to be prepared for later - probably around same time Jan - March.
And only a little worried about when it does because sugar is about a month and half younger then him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She'll be fine those females have to be made sturdy to be able to handle these big scovy drakes.

 

[Raenh]

Once she catches up, no problems, no worries.. just if she's not ready yet when he hits it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'll tell you something else to with Muscovy's My drake never messes with younger females if he has other females to be with. So hopefully he will not go after her till she is old enough.