Hi Pat! Mama scovies are more than capable to take care of their babies. As long as she doesn't have too many. I have found 7-10 to be a good population for one hen to manage. If she has more you may lose them or you can foster them off to another broody hen. Do you let your ducks go where they want or are they contained? What worries me is what got your drake - if something that large is around, your babies will be in danger as well as your other birds. You might want to get a hav-a-hart trap to figure out what you have. If you tell me what your drake looked like when you found him, I might be able to help. As far as feed, if they are with mama, she will show them lots of good things. I also give all my baby birds unmedicated game bird crumbles. The unmedicated is VERY important for ducks as they can be poisoned by the antibiotic (amprolium) that is in most medicated feeds. Agway can sell this to you under their own brand. You can also give them grain mixes like soy,oats and cracked corn. Water is very important. Also - if they are with mama, they can get wet. If they are not with mama, do not let them swim until their feathers start coming in. I am not too sure they mate for life. I have raised lots of scovies and they are, well, not too discriminating. ;) If you have any questions about raising your ducks, feel free to contact me off-list. Mo Barger Rooster Hill Farm in lovely Candor NY http://www.roosterhillfarm.com/
On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 12:30 PM, Patricia Haines <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Our mama Muskovy's eggs are starting to hatch, and Agway hasn't been too > helpful with instructions on what and how feed and take of brand-new > ducklings. Any advice you can share would be very welcome! > > Our Papa duck died yesterday, after being savaged by some kind of night-time > animal, and we're very sad. These babies are even more important, since > muskovies mate for life and Mama would be even sadder than we are if we can't > keep the babies alive. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please > visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > [email protected] > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
