Hatching experiment - Time to make my Muscovy a mom!

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

It’s time! My Muscovy girl lost her sister last fall, and I’ve been thinking of adding to the small flock of 3 since then. Sooo, I waited and waited. Finally, my remaining Muscovy girl started laying again, and in true Muscovy style dove into broodyness with great enthusiasm. After looking locally for hatching eggs, I decided to order eggs. I ordered 3 Rouens and 3 Welsh Harlequins, as I couldn’t find any fertile Muscovy eggs.

The eggs arrived today - 4 Rouen eggs and 4 Welsh Harlequin eggs! One Rouen has a tiny crack, but the others look good.

I immediately swapped out my Muscovy girl’s eggs for the fertile ones while she was on a “broody break”. She immediately went back to incubating.

Stay tuned!

Note: I didn’t candle them yet, but will at some point. This is an experiment. If they don’t hatch, I will remain happy with my flock of 3. If they do hatch, well, things will get interesting!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, do I look forward to this adventure.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Today is day 7. I haven’t candled her eggs yet. I think I’ll wait another week as it should be decently obvious at that point, even for a beginner like me! Mama is doing very well and is extremely dedicated. I make her take two short breaks daily to poop and eat and bathe if she wants to. She’s usually an extreme grump when broody, but she seems to know something is different this time… or maybe it’s because we are not fighting the broodyness, and have let her have the whole horse stall as her “apartment”, while Remi and Matilda get the rest of the barn at night and are out during the day.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

It’s day 15! I think my flashlight is not quite bright enough or maybe the whole area should have been darker, but I took a look! I saw definite veins and even saw movement in one, so at least someone is alive! There was one with clear air sacs on both ends, which was different from the others. I’m guessing it is a dud, but wasn’t confident enough to remove it. All are still intact. I could only take a quick look as Mama was ready for her break to end. She must know at this point that some are alive, right? She is being a very devoted Mom.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

We have a pip! Actually, at least one significant pip, one that is just beginning, and I don’t know about the rest as I wanted to get Mama back on the nest the second I saw the pip! I thought they still had a day or two, but it is happening! Now, once they hatch, I assume Mama will keep them warm, or so I still add supplemental heat? I have put down ducking food and a duckling waterer.

The large pip is a Rouen. I didn’t get pictures as I wanted to get Mama back on her nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mama should keep them warm

 

[LydiaB]

I don’t have Muscovy, but when I have a broody she keeps them warm quite well after hatching. It’s my favorite way to raise ducklings. Low maintenance I once had a Rouen hatch and raise to adulthood 15 babies.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Okokok, I promise to take pictures tomorrow! Apollo/Annabelle (Rouen) hatched early this AM and is currently drying off with a very blissfully happy Mama. He/she looked a bit squashed/sad/deceased first thing, but after a couple of hours, is upright, appears strong, and is fluffing up nicely. I, sadly, have to go to work and will not be home until after dark.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

Once those who hatch hatch, how long before I introduce everyone to their “aunts”, Rouen females Matilda and Remi?

 

[LydiaB]

Once those who hatch hatch, how long before I introduce everyone to their “aunts”, Rouen females Matilda and Remi?

I generally keep them separated until the ducklings are no longer kitty bait (3-4 weeks). If you don’t have barn cats they may be okay right away. Mama won’t let anyone mess with her babies. But cats are sneakier than other ducks.