The BLACK stench! Why are my Muscovy eggs turning black before they even go in the incubator?

[TheDuckLady]

I have ALWAYS had problems with muscovy eggs turning blue/black. Today I had to throw out 8. I was trying to wait till I had an incubator full before I set it so they were out on my bathroom counter top in a shoe box for 2 weeks from hatch till blue. The ones I threw out did NOT pass the sniff test; although I have a great sense of smell. I don't know why they do it and I NEED to find out. Perhaps It's a bacteria that the mama duck carries when she lays the eggs or perhaps it's a reaction to a high acidity content in soil (quail eggs are very sensitive to pine & cedar trees). I'm truly stumped about it and all I can offer is guesses but if it's something I am doing wrong, I sure like to know what to do about it. I have lost about 5 dozen Muscovy eggs since my girls became mature. OH, Just a thought, they seem to turn blue/black more often if I don't clean the mud and poop off of them so maybe it IS an issue with bacteria!I'd love to know how yours turned out.

My other duck eggs (Mallard type) never turn colors except sometimes they get blood rings. Please note: This is NOT blood rings. Today I had one look like a bulls eye (that was a first), abut usually it will be a big black/blue spots that over night turn into a "cloud" that covers 25%+ of the egg and sometimes even covers the whole thing.

 

[Impress]

A bathroom counter is a horrid place to store eggs, humid and warm. They need to be kept cool and dry.

 

[lakota67]

I saw your posting regarding your Muscovy eggs turning black. I realize it was an old posting, but I wondered it your problem was ever resolved? My ducks eggs were the same way. when I candled them, they had liquid in them and when one of them exploded (in a plastic bag)...the smell was terrible.

I think it was too hot where she laid her eggs and she would never leave them. She laid them in the top of my horse trailer and being new at this duck thing, I didn't know if I should move them or not, so I left them there.

Any information you can give me regarding Muscovy's..I would appreciate it.

Thanks.