The duck eggs hatched and we have Muscovy ducklings!
While the eggs were in the incubator we had two power outages lasting over two hours each. I was afraid the eggs were doomed, but they did survive. Three eggs didn't develop at all, but the remaining six made it through those power outages and right up to hatch.
On Day 34 I could hear peeping from the eggs and one was rocking back and forth on the hatching tray. I went outside to do the morning chores and mow the yard, and when I came back inside there was Duckling #1.
Right on time, on Day 35, Ducklings #2 and #3 finally emerged from their eggs. I admit I helped a little bit. I've learned through this experience that perhaps the reason Mama Duck only hatched 2 of her 53 eggs last year is because the eggshells are beyond hard. The poor babies just can't get out on their own. I'm going to change the brand of feed I give the adult ducks, and hope it will make a difference.
I held the remaining eggs to my ear and could hear (or feel) a slight rhythmic little "thump...thump..." as the duckling pecked at the shell from the inside. Ducklings #4 and #5 eventually hatched, but one died shortly thereafter. I couldn't hear any sound from the last egg. I gave that one back to the Muscovy duck hen, and she quickly rolled it underneath her, to join the other five eggs she's sitting on. The incubator was pretty nasty by this time and I was more than ready to clean it.
The four ducklings are in the brooder-bin with the chicks that hatched a few days earlier. I tried to keep ducks and chicks separated at first, but the ducklings jumped over the cardboard divider and eventually I just gave up and removed it. I'll move the chicks to their own bin in a few days so they can stay drier; ducklings are messy little guys.
~~~~~
My hope is to inspire you, and to encourage your homesteading plans and your dreams of a simple, self-reliant, God-dependent life. You can follow me at:
Facebook | Pinterest | Subscribe via email
Aww! They are so cute! Nothing says spring like baby ducks and chicks!
ReplyDeleteBaby birds are the ultimate symbol of spring, aren't they, Pam?
DeleteSooo cute. We had 6 Showgirl chicks hatch over the weekend. I was really excited to welcome new babies.
ReplyDeleteTerri, that's a new-to-me breed; I had to google it. They are very aptly named. Congratulations on your new babies.
DeleteWow how special. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteMary Gay
Thank you for stopping by, Mary Gay. Have a wonderful day!
DeleteAwww they are so cute! Our Khaki Campbell is sitting on a clutch and I am keeping my fingers crossed for bay ducks as well <3 #TuesdaysWithATwist
ReplyDeleteBaby ducks are just so adorable, their bills and feet are too big and look kind of ridiculous and yet so cute. Good luck, I hope you get new Khaki Campbell and Bay ducklings!
DeleteThey are adorable!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jamie.
DeleteThey are really cute, thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Swathi.
DeleteAWW!!!! This totally brightened up my day! God's creations are so beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Edye | Http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
Thank you, Edye. My, they are growing so fast and don't even look like this anymore!
DeleteAwwww!!! So cute! I want to add Muscovys to our Runners and Pekin flock, they are just so cute as ducklings! Thanks for adding this to From The Farm it's another fan favorite! Hope to see you again soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Heather! Muscovy babies are really cute, with their big feet and tiny wings. As adults, they're a great mosquito control unit too.
DeleteHello! I know this post is older but I had Hope's of maybe you sharing what humidity to used. I'm trying to hatch muscovy ducklings for the first time and am very nervous as I can not find any steady information on a number! I could really use the help! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI followed the directions in this post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/incubating-and-hatching-muscovy-eggs.63532/
DeleteThanks SO much!
ReplyDelete