Will a muscovy raise chicks?

[cricket-cricket]

I ask because I candled our muscovy hen's eggs tonight and none of them are viable. I will check again in a few days to be sure, but...I'm pretty sure.

I hate to break up her broody, and would just as soon encourage her by supplanting some babies one night, but we really don't need more ducks. I know that chickens will occasionally raise ducklings, might it work in reverse?

 

[melissa508]

Most muscovies would , but the problem is that theyre so heavy & can squish the chicks with those big feet. I noticed mine were pretty clumsy mothers & often stepped on their own ducklings.