The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[JeremyMtc]

The cat does not have access to them, but would if they went outside. They don't attack r the bigger ducks.

 

[Amiga]

Elf was our runt. Weeks behind the others till they were nearly a year old. I kept close watch on her, made sure she got vitamins, and once, I thought I was going to lose her, I held her and gave her sips of vitamins with electrolytes and probiotics. She had been getting lethargic. She bounced back after that, but was slow till she caught up. She did, and now she is 100% duck! Even caught her sumo wrestling with Romy once.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The cat does not have access to them, but would if they went outside. They don't attack r the bigger ducks.

Ducklings look too much like prey I'd let the ducklings get some size to them especially the weaker one before allowing the cat access to them.

 

[JeremyMtc]

 

[Miss Lydia]

She has her wings full with 13 ducklings so sweet.

 

[JeremyMtc]

How much water should they Beatle to swim in at what ages?

 

[JeremyMtc]

When do they get their wings?

 

[Miss Lydia]

How much water should they Beatle to swim in at what ages?

If it's a nice warm sunny day water up to the hips first off. about 2-3 weeks they can be in a cat litter pan but always make sure they can get in and out with out any trouble. When we had our ducklings 10 my dh made a ramp that went into the water so they could easily get out and the ramp was attached to another one that went down to the ground and we made rungs across so they would have good traction. [scrap wood] and hinges. so they were in a small kiddy pool at 1 week.
Ducklings that can't get out of water will soak and chill and drown even with a mama present.

 

[JeremyMtc]

Is broodiness genetic?

 

[mamaduck1616]

Hi all,

I am new to BYC and to owning ducks. I have three Muscovy hens and one Drake. They are actively breeding and have laid eggs. The first eggs of this nest were laid about 13 days ago. How long will eggs last in the nest?

I know mama duck sits them through the night and into the afternoon. But shell get off the nest for a few hours in the late afternoon. There are now about 18 eggs in one nest and another nest has 6. Shes also pulling out her feathers and putting them in the nests.

The weather has gone back and forth between in the 60s to in the 30s during the day and in the 30s at night.

Are my eggs still good? Will they hatch?

Thanks in advance for any answers