duck question

[shane]

I have a muscovy sitting on a clutch now for about 4 weeks, which is great, but here is where Im stumped. i have 2 ducks with my drake, keep them all in the one pen, should I move the other duck and drake out before the clutch hatches? contradictory advice from local 'Birdmen'. this is my first time breeding birds, a fox ruined my last attempt!!! would do it anyway but had an outbreak of mites in other run, Im hopefull its cleared now but still dont want to needlessly put some more of the flock at risk. any help appreciated

[farmerdrea]

I've always left them to it, but kept an eye on them (with the various breeds I've kept or am keeping, currently Indian Runners and Muscoveys), and they've always been fine together, even with the other ducks helping to look after the ducklings and one hun duck actually stealing babies off another!

Cheers
Andrea
NZ

[Tom Kirk]

Sorry i know this is a bit off topic but we have a 2 ducks and 1 drake (muscoveys) and she has been sitting on the eggs for about the right length of time for them to hatch (about 5 weeks) but there still is no sign! Eventually will she give up..How Long does it take for her to relise?

Any-ways, I hope we have just missjudged the dates and there will be ducklings shortly!

Thanks
Tom

[shane]

the same happened me last year, the duck sat for nearly 7 weeks, then the eggs started to dissapear. a friend said she might be eating them out of frustration. I took them from her. not a duckling in any of them. I got anew drake, and 15 ducklings this year - minus one the mink got!! if she is sitting wel over the 5 weeks, take the eggs from under her, they are either dead in shell or not fertilised, but hopefully your dates ar just off.

[Treedweller]

We raised Muscovey ducks many years ago. Huge flock 350 at one time. What we saw with the
egg eating is this. They will eat a spoiled egg also eat one that blows up. Seen this many times.
I think it is to keep their nest clean. Now we did have two Drakes that would eat the tiny babies.
Never seen this happen with regular type ducks but others have mentioned that sometimes the
Drakes will eat the bitty babies. Give your gal another chance. Love Muscovey ducks!