When to let my Muscovy build up a clutch to brood

[firerafter]

My Muscovy hen (8 mo) recently started laying. I found 6 eggs that she had been hiding. I’d like to give her a chance to brood but it’s mid Jan. and I live in Boise, ID. I collected all but 2 of the eggs (which I marked) because I figure it’s still far to cold for the embryos to survive, nights could below freezing into May occasionally. So, my question is, when can I start letting her build up a clutch? What night time lows can the eggs endure and still be viable before she starts to set them? And, once they hatch, how cold is too cold for her to keep them warm? Keeping in mind she will be a first timer. Also, if I keep robbing her stash will she slow down on laying? I’ve heard Muscovies aren’t the most prolific layers.

Thanks

 

[Lauren Kim]

It’s best to start having chicks around April. So I would say late March.

 

[sylviethecochin]

when can I start letting her build up a clutch? What night time lows can the eggs endure and still be viable before she starts to set them?
Eggs can't generally survive temps below freezing for very long. I propose a solution: collect the eggs, mark them with the date, and store them in a dark, moderately humid area where you control the temperature. When they pass day fourteen, just eat them--fertility begins to rapidly decline after day ten. When she starts to set, give her the most recent eggs.

And, once they hatch, how cold is too cold for her to keep them warm? Keeping in mind she will be a first timer.
Given enough dry bedding and ten or fewer ducklings, she should be fine even in freezing temperatures. That said, I once had a mallard hen who decided it was in her and her ducklings' best interest to wander around the barnyard in the wee hours of the morning--at below freezing temps. That clutch didn't make it. So keep her penned in a small-ish space with the ducklings for a few days, until you're certain of her mothering abilities.

Also, if I keep robbing her stash will she slow down on laying? I’ve heard Muscovies aren’t the most prolific layers.

She'll lay whatever you do, depending on her nutritional reserves and the alignment of the stars--but if you take her eggs, she'll find a new spot to hide them.

 

[chickens really]

I collect eggs daily and destroy the nest daily too..Then I will leave her eggs when I'm ready for her to set..

 

[firerafter]

Thanks for the advice. I think I’ll collect eggs till March then let her build up a clutch till she’s ready to set them. Assuming she will wait till she has 10 or so, that would put us at about mid April for hatching. If I leave an egg or two in there at all times, is there a danger of her going broody over just a few? I don’t really know why I decided to leave a couple eggs in there. Maybe because she’s a first time layer, I thought she needed some training till she gets in a routine.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My experience with my Muscovy's is they will go broody on any eggs. So best not to leave any. Just watch her close because she may find another place to build up her clutch and you won't be able to get to her.