When should I let Mommie/Auntie Brood again?

[Buttercup Chillin]

When the 3 ducklings were 2 1/2 weeks old I let Mr Drake and Snow White back with Mommie and Auntie and the fuzzy butts to save my Turken hens that were starting to look pretty good to Mr Drake. That day Auntie made a new nest and the next morning both started laying again in that nest. I have been collecting the eggs, they are bigger now and taste so good. Now Scooter, Runner and Rider will be 4 weeks old come Saturday. So I thought I better start saving the eggs for Mommie and Auntie to hatch. But should I waite untill they leave the three youngsters on their own totally (at 6 weeks of age) before I let them keep their eggs to hatch? I just know that if I leave the eggs in the nest they will start sitting.

They are using only one nest again. This time they are laying both of their eggs in the same nest and neither is sitting yet, because I keep taking their eggs. I don't want them to miss the spring hatch. But I don't want them to leave the Ducklings to early, either. There is another nest area that is being kept (Snow's old nest area) but I don't know which one is making it and there is no egg being layed there. I'm going to change out the camera tomorrow to see who is setting that one up on the other side of the Duck House. I think it is Mommie that wants a separate nest this time but there is no way she could roll her eggs all the way around a short wall and over to that nest. If its hers I'll have to set her eggs there for her to set. If its hers she is counting on me to know what she wants, cause she is laying her egg with Aunties and a second nest is not being built next to that one like before. I do know the second nest on the other side of the house is not Snow's.

Snow White is setting up a nest in their small hay loft, but I'm going to have to move some hay out and give her a nesting basket to keep her nest contained and hope that she accepts it. She is not yet laying again, probably cause the hay against the wall of the house keeps falling over her nest. If need be I will give her some of the other eggs so she can have babies,too. But I think once we get her next set up she'll start laying again.

Do Muskovys always change their nests around like these girls are doing?
Should I just give eggs to Snow White so she can have her chance and not let Mommie and Auntie Set Eggs?
I am assuming Mommie and Auntie will only keep laying for about 35 days or so then take a break?????
What to do? What to do???

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Do Muskovys always change their nests around like these girls are doing?
Should I just give eggs to Snow White so she can have her chance and not let Mommie and Auntie Set Eggs?
I am assuming Mommie and Auntie will only keep laying for about 35 days or so then take a break?????
What to do? What to do???

Yes, Muscovies do change their nests around esp. if they are being disturbed.
It's your call on the second question.

Scovies seem to lay until they are ready to brood. Approx. 20 eggs each and I noticed my girls laid fewer eggs as the summer progressed but that may have happened as prime nesting sites were taken over by growing ducklings.... it was getting crowded around here.

Have fun with your Scovies!

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

Mommie and Auntie moved the nest to the Short Wall after we put it in once the new Duckies were 4-5 days old and they had left the nest and wanted into their yard. We felt there might be a draft on their nest when the poop door was open and didn't want the ducklings getting chilled. We were setting cold records that week.

Snow White starts laying a few weeks after Mommie and Auntie so i have another week or two to decide. I gave her a Nest Basket in the Loft so Tomorrow morning maybe I'll know if she will accept it. They have 4 or 5 areas for nesting. When the young ones are 6 Weeks or left alone, I'll move them out and get ready for the girls to set.

This morning, I opened the House and all 4 adults were at the door looking at me. It took me awhile to find the Babies. They were hiding out in the nest with the eggs behind the short movable wall. My Hens and Rooster were having a fit in the Hen House too. Something had to have been in the yard, but I didn't see anything and neither did the dogs when I let them out.

They do keep life interesting around here.