A question about rearing Muscovy ducklings

[foxy]

Now, whilst I am used to raising runners, I have never raised muscovies before. I have a single duckling (hatched by a broody Muscovy) from some eggs kindly given to me.
Mum at around 5 weeks has decided that baby is OK on her own and mum now prefers the company of the adult Muscovies. My concern is this youngster seems a little slow in developing, both size and feathering, still mostly down just now, is this normal for Muscovies??? Runners by now are fully feathered and almost fully grown! Thanks for your help!

 

[Davidd]

Hi, yes, they take longer- the drakes get much bigger than the ducks- it's easy to tell when you have more than one :lol: so, you will just have to wait and see- one of my ducks has just hatched 6 ( i only gave her six eggs- she did have 25 but i don't want that many muskovies- just need to replace the duck i lost and a couple more females to hatch the goose eggs.At 5 weeks the duckling will be fine- hopefully she/he will follow the other muskovies and join in "the gang"
regards, David

 

[foxy]

Thank you David! Muscovies are new to me...so very different from the manic runner ducks I have!