somewhat broody muscovy **UPDATE

[jdywntr]

So one of my girls started laying in mid-september but then stopped after a week or so. She started laying again and I left the eggs with her. I removed 5 eggs a few days ago since they were covered in poop but there were 12 more. There is a little bit of down that has been added to the nest over the last few days. For the past 3 nights, she has been sitting on the nest at night but makes a beeline for the door in the morning. Last night I watched as they settled for the night and she went right into her nest and gave chirped warnings to the other girls to stay away. I am hoping that she will go broody and set on them but I'm worried that its so late in the year.

Thoughts?

 

[Miss Lydia]

So one of my girls started laying in mid-september but then stopped after a week or so. She started laying again and I left the eggs with her. I removed 5 eggs a few days ago since they were covered in poop but there were 12 more. There is a little bit of down that has been added to the nest over the last few days. For the past 3 nights, she has been sitting on the nest at night but makes a beeline for the door in the morning. Last night I watched as they settled for the night and she went right into her nest and gave chirped warnings to the other girls to stay away. I am hoping that she will go broody and set on them but I'm worried that its so late in the year.

Thoughts?

Sounds to me that you have a broody in the making, she is doing all the classic broody moves. I don't know how cold it gets in AL. but mama should be able to keep the lil ones warm enough as long as she doesn't have too many.

 

[jdywntr]

Thanks Miss Lydia. I'm hoping she sets. It is going to get into the low-mid 30's overnight in a few days. Generally, it doesn't get that cold at night until November. (I think) Temps are varying alot though from the 50's-low 80's during the day.
There are now 17 eggs in there, I counted today. I don't know if I want to take any away since I don't know if she has decided that she wants to sit on alot of eggs and since I took some she is still laying. I don't think any of the other girls are laying.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Miss Lydia. I'm hoping she sets. It is going to get into the low-mid 30's overnight in a few days. Generally, it doesn't get that cold at night until November. (I think) Temps are varying alot though from the 50's-low 80's during the day.
There are now 17 eggs in there, I counted today. I don't know if I want to take any away since I don't know if she has decided that she wants to sit on alot of eggs and since I took some she is still laying. I don't think any of the other girls are laying.

I usually wait till they stop laying then remove the oldest eggs. depending on how many you want her to sit on. Have you been marking them?

 

[jdywntr]

I have not been marking them. I figure I'll try to remove any dirty or smaller eggs once she starts to set.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have not been marking them. I figure I'll try to remove any dirty or smaller eggs once she starts to set.

Good plan

 

[jdywntr]

So, went out to check on the nest and found another of the girls had made a nest and laid an egg. I'm not sure what they are thinking this late in the year but I hope one of them if not both go broody. If so, maybe I will move some eggs from one nest to the other.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, went out to check on the nest and found another of the girls had made a nest and laid an egg. I'm not sure what they are thinking this late in the year but I hope one of them if not both go broody. If so, maybe I will move some eggs from one nest to the other.

O what a tangled web we weave. We're expecting heavy snow and temps into the 20-40 so i am happy my girls finally gave up. All the best to you and your girls always exciting when ducklings are coming.

 

[jdywntr]

Well she did not get off the nest this morning.

And she was not happy when I went and peered in at her. I don't know if it is because the temps really dropped or not but I'm going to periodically check on her today to see if she remains throughout the day or not. I have marked my calander (forgot to do that the first time) and will be counting the days. I really did not expect November ducklings. If all goes well and she remains on the nest, I am still going to prepare an area for mom and babies if the weather or the other birds present a problem.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well she did not get off the nest this morning.

And she was not happy when I went and peered in at her. I don't know if it is because the temps really dropped or not but I'm going to periodically check on her today to see if she remains throughout the day or not. I have marked my calander (forgot to do that the first time) and will be counting the days. I really did not expect November ducklings. If all goes well and she remains on the nest, I am still going to prepare an area for mom and babies if the weather or the other birds present a problem.

Good idea to have a plan in place. Sounds like she has made up her mind now..