What to do with new muscovy babies

[Macleant]

Hello. My muscovy just hatched babies for the first time yesterday. She ia sitting on them in the duck house and some are still hatching. Should i provide them with anything or does momma do that? Also how long should you wait to handle new babies? Thank you so much!

 

[chickens really]

Provide Duckling feed and water. I would secure them away from the other Ducks in case the others try to kill them.

 

[dotporter]

Hello. My muscovy just hatched babies for the first time yesterday. She ia sitting on them in the duck house and some are still hatching. Should i provide them with anything or does momma do that? Also how long should you wait to handle new babies? Thank you so much!

If momma is nice, you can handle the babies right away. If she isn't, you're likely to get a bite welt for your effort. When to handle the babies depends entirely on the moms disposition. As for what to provide them? Make sure that all water dishes are shallow. A baby muscovy can get into a bucket of water and drown. It's very important to check around so that there's nothing they can get into.

 

[Macleant]

If momma is nice, you can handle the babies right away. If she isn't, you're likely to get a bite welt for your effort. When to handle the babies depends entirely on the moms disposition. As for what to provide them? Make sure that all water dishes are shallow. A baby muscovy can get into a bucket of water and drown. It's very important to check around so that there's nothing they can get into.

Thank you so much for the advice. I put a small chick waterer and small dish of crumble in there. Havent seen the chicks drink or eat yet but momma did right away. Luckily our momma is being very sweet. Still not sure how many are under her but so excited to see all of them do they need to be fully feathered before swimming?

 

[chickens really]

No, don't need to be fully feathered. Can swim as soon as Momma lets them..

 

[dotporter]

Baby Muscovy aren't water proof. Swimming is fine as long as it's in shallow water with an easy way for a baby to get out. They CAN waterlog and sink.