Who is my mother!!! Duck question Do I help????

[candrnyen]

Hi,
I have (as you can see in the picture) 2 mother ducks sharing a nest. The ducklings are starting to arrive.

finally!
However, I am unsure of who's is who's, I have such a hard time when they are babies.
The one mom is a Muscovy and the other one I am not sure of but I love her. Ps if anyone can identify her that would make my day, I would love to get another.
Anyway, if anyone can help me determine what type of ducklings I have that would be wonderful.

Thanks so much in advance

C J

 

[BantyHugger]

AWWWWWWWW!
The other mother is a Buff orpington. I've never had muscoveys. What does the dad look like? They look like buff. I'd think the Muscovey's would have black spots on them.

 

[candrnyen]

thanks
I have another pic that might have a better view. It is so hard to tell until they actually get loaded on here.
let me know if this one is better. ( nope it is not, sorry)
It should be the one that the baby is on mom's back.
The dad of the muscovy is her color. the dad of the other is mixed with the buff color.

thanks
C J

 

[injunjoe]

Jerry Springer?
Sorry I could not help myself!

 

[BantyHugger]

I think they are the Buff's. I'd check under them and see who is either missing eggs or has pips. That would solve the mystery for sure!

 

[candrnyen]

I am glad to hear that!! I have a few muscovies sitting but only the one buff and I was really hoping they were hers. It is hard to tell who's eggs are who's because they switch ( or steal) each others eggs so they are all mixed up.
Will this cause a problem? the babies hatching at different times? What do you think I should do? Should I put food and water in there for the babies so they can eat or do you think the mom's will handle it.
thanks

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

See how long it takes them, if it takes over 48 hours, put water in there. If one leaves you can always put the other eggs under the other mother.

They are definitely the buffs, the muscovy's would have more black in them.

By the way, what do you use for your nest boxes?

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

See how long it takes them, if it takes over 48 hours, put water in there. If one leaves you can always put the other eggs under the other mother.

They are definitely the buffs, the muscovy's would have more black in them.

By the way, what do you use for your nest boxes?

 

[candrnyen]

She started laying in the dog igloo so I put straw in there to make sure she was comfortable and it was clean. Then the muscovy saw it and made herself comfortable as well. I am really surprised "Carmel" let her in I think she likes the idea of a nanny.

So water but no food?
thanks so much
C J

 

[Omniskies]

Not only that, but Muscovies take longer to hatch than regular ducks. Any of the unhatched eggs remaining could be duds or could be the Muscovy's eggs.

You may want to separate them out somehow to keep the Muscovy from getting up off the remaining eggs.