How to raise Backyard Chickens: [CHICKENS-101] Question about a chicken and Muscovy sharing a nest

Sunday, March 27, 2011

[CHICKENS-101] Question about a chicken and Muscovy sharing a nest

So my Muscovy ducks (4) have moved themselves in with the chickens. They did this mid winter and I decided not to mind. While there is more mess, it was only one coop to clean and tend to in crazy cold temps.

So now, I have a duck and hen sharing a nest.
I finally found my duck books and read that you cannot move a duck nest.

So my question is, does anyone have thoughts about when to separate them? I have a separate area for the chicken and her eggs.

I guess Muscovy set for like 33 days. So I figure I have to separate them at some point.

While they were getting water I traded a duck egg spot and chicken egg spot, so when they go back to setting the eggs are under the appropriate hen.

I am guessing I need to separate them because it would be very sad if the duck got off the nest when the chicks are born. There would still be up to 12 more days for the ducklings to hatch.

I do not have an incubator. I guess I should get one to have on hand just in case.

Any thoughts or suggestions, would be very welcome.
Thank you all.
I am very quite on the list.

Lynn
in S.E.MA
homeschooling mom of 5 and caretaker of many animals