The Broody Duck Thread for 2014

[Miss Lydia]

I candled the eggs in the muscovy nest today while mama was away. Four bad ones, but 14 are nearly full of developing babies! I'd guess about a week or less before they're out and running around.

I think the turkey has also started considering sitting on her nest, but I took all her eggs from her as she only likes to sit about 2-3 hours at a time.

Two geese are also busy laying and tending their nest.

Going to start an incubator batch of about 2 doz khakis, 6 welsh harlequin, 6 goose, and 8 turkey eggs tonight. Should make for an eventful first week of April.

Look forward to seeing them all.

 

[creaturelife]

well i should have some baby chicks here today or tomorrow i order the assortments of polish and cochin

 

[Miss Lydia]

well i should have some baby chicks here today or tomorrow i order the assortments of polish and cochin

How fun!

 

[2Myanimals]

This morning I noticed my duck was not wanting us to take her eggs. If she does it again I will let her have 3 just for quantity control I am so looking forward to it and need to read about this whole thing since this is my first time. After reading others' postings I am wondering if the eggs are fertilized because it seems that my drake does more 'surf board' balancing on the ducks than actually being productive and putting in his share to develop a family Was thinking about not letting them hatch the eggs after reading the posts here until I have seen the proof that the drake knows what he is doing but I guess I should let nature take over. Any thoughts?

 

[Miss Lydia]

This morning I noticed my duck was not wanting us to take her eggs. If she does it again I will let her have 3 just for quantity control I am so looking forward to it and need to read about this whole thing since this is my first time. After reading others' postings I am wondering if the eggs are fertilized because it seems that my drake does more 'surf board' balancing on the ducks than actually being productive and putting in his share to develop a family Was thinking about not letting them hatch the eggs after reading the posts here until I have seen the proof that the drake knows what he is doing but I guess I should let nature take over. Any thoughts?

My drakes like to play ride the duck too but still mange to mate with them at other times maybe you just haven't seen the other times yet. LOL what you can do is let her lay a few more then take the oldest out and crack it open if you see the bulls eye it's fertile. Then let her sit at least 4 eggs, that way if one wasn't fertile and something happened to another, un for seen things can happen believe me, then you still have 2 duckling to grow up together.

 

[DaisyMeadow]

Success! Out of 18 eggs, 14 were fertile, 11 hatched, 8 were successful ducklings!



Now, I have a rouen sitting on what I think is a muscovy nest. I guess we'll see when they hatch, which should be around April 15, if my math is right and the hen is consistent.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Success! Out of 18 eggs, 14 were fertile, 11 hatched, 8 were successful ducklings!



Now, I have a rouen sitting on what I think is a muscovy nest. I guess we'll see when they hatch, which should be around April 15, if my math is right and the hen is consistent.

Adorable.. Congrats!!

 

[Ameer894]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eed-some-advices-tio-hatch-eggs#post_13097847
Help

 

[DaisyMeadow]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...eed-some-advices-tio-hatch-eggs#post_13097847
Help

Ameer,

My last 2 muscovy nests have had 20 some eggs, 18 eggs, respectively, and two batches before that, mama hatched successfully 18 ducklings in one clutch. So if you only have this many eggs, I say she's got a good start. She won't start sitting until she feels she has enough eggs first. So if she lays an egg a day, it could be awhile. You can mark the ones she has now, just keep checking in to make sure everything is going well, and make a note when she starts sitting. Then you have about 35 days before hatch. Also, muscovies are known to raise babies as a gang, with supporting females helping out, so they may also lay eggs as a gang, too. Mine are so good at hiding nests that I rarely ever find them before they are ready to start sitting, so I don't know how many females have laid in one particular nest. Like I posted above, I think my rouen has camped out on one of my muscovy nests now, as there was a pretty distraught female muscovy trying to get to the nest after the rouen started sitting. I think mama muscovy just moved on and started another nest, though. Nature's been doing this way longer than we have, so it's best to just relax and, for the most part, enjoy the show! Congrats on your laying hen!

 

[Ameer894]

Best wishes
I enjoyed reading your comment Thnx a lot