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what to do if eggs have not hatched in 45 days

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Author Topic: what to do if eggs have not hatched in 45 days  (Read 1869 times)
Triplettss
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« on: June 30, 2012, 03:22:56 pm »

hello,
I am new to this forum and new to ducks.   We have a farm and have always had wild mallard ducks on our pond but a female Muscovy took up here a few months ago.   She made a nest in the barn with my miniature donkeys and laid 16 eggs.  She has been sitting on them for 45 days today.   There is no male Muscovy that i know of but I read on this forum that she could have mated with the Mallard.   I also read that 45 days was the normal incubation period.   What should I do if the eggs haven't hatched?  It is very hot here (several days over 100).  There is a fan in the barn but it is still hot for her to be sitting if the eggs are not fertile.  She is very friendly and comes off the eggs to eat twice a day.
Thank you for advice.
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markp1313
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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2012, 03:35:23 am »

It's possible that the hen mated with a mallard. But if it did the
hatch rate is like 20%. The incubation for a cross would be
32 days. Normal for a Muscovy is 35. If you are sure that the
hen has been sitting more than 37 days, well sorry to say this.
But you need to get a Muscovy Drake and try again.
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Triplettss
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« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2012, 01:33:36 pm »

Thank you for this information.   What is the best way to remove the eggs with the least stress to the female?  Remove the eggs and leave the nest or shut off the barn so she can't get in?  If I get a male Muscovy will they mate this late in the season?
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markp1313
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« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2012, 08:11:19 pm »

Take the eggs when she is away and let her look
at the nest and see the eggs are gone. That way
she won't keep trying to get into the barn to brood.

Do you know if this is a wild Muscoy, or a feral Muscovy?

You can always give late season mating a chance.
In any case you'll need the drake next spring.

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Triplettss
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« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2012, 04:29:33 pm »

How would I know the difference in wild or feral?  She just appeared on our pond a couple of months ago.  She would not come close to humans for the first month but after we started leaving feed for her she would appear at feeding time and now follows us to her bowl.  She has also made good friends with the miniature donkeys who have protected her eggs from predators.  They were touching noses/beak the other day..so cute.  Any suggestions on where to get a male and would there be any concerns about them getting along together?  I am in Hillsborough NC.
thanks
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markp1313
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« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2012, 07:15:29 pm »

I am just afraid the hen will leave if its wild and you will just have
the drake left.

Below is a wild Muscovy.


This is typical domesticated.


Its best to order chicks, eggs are very hard to hatch. Also look at your
local craigslist list and paper to see what you can get. One Drake can handle
5 or 6 hens so you might was well get another hen or two.
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