nest ideas?

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Tue Oct 11, 2011 10:58 am

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any ingenious nest box ideas? I've just lost a clutch of muscovy eggs. My girl was sitting in a wooden frame, with no base(just on concrete), but when she needed to expel waste, she just stood up rather than leaving the nest, but I think what happened is that it hit the side of the frame and soaked into the bedding around the sides and underneath. I didn't realise this is what was happening until it was too late and the eggs died. The bedding on top looked fine and I couldn't tell that underneath was quite dirty. Has anyone tried elevated nest boxes with some kind of drainage to help prevent this? Or do I just need to kick her off the nest in future to give it a clean several times during incubation? If the bottom of the nest did have some kind of drainage, ie: slats or mesh, would this create any problems for incubation by being ventilated and not retaining as much warmth?

I was just thinking about making a small slatted platform with some dividers, raised a couple of inches off the ground. My only other concern would be that the eggs might crack if they are pressed up against the edge of one of the slats.. depending how closely they are spaced.

Ideas and suggestions most welcome

MANYDUCKS · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:15 pm **Posts:** 10

I love this box http://holderreadfarm.com/photogallery/ ... CD2_N9.jpg I built 2 just like it and I think they are perfect for them I use corrugated tin on the bottom too but you can use flat tin but don't use wood

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:45 am

MANYDUCKS wrote:

I love this box http://holderreadfarm.com/photogallery/ ... CD2_N9.jpg I built 2 just like it and I think they are perfect for them I use corrugated tin on the bottom too but you can use flat tin but don't use wood

Thanks manyducks, I have some corrugated plastic I could use instead of wood. Shall definitely be making thorough inspections of nests in future to try and prevent this from happening again.

MANYDUCKS · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:15 pm **Posts:** 10

Just make sure its 2 or so inches off the ground so water can't soak up

Harryk · **Joined:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:25 pm **Posts:** 7

You can go higher using legs and a ramp for access is better to have them a little hight to stop moisture and pests

Muscovy J · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:11 pm

hi ,
all my muscoys nest on the ground i only use bottomless nestboxs, what i do is, when i find a spot to place my nestbox on, is i make a shallow hole in the ground, then spread some river sand in the hollow, then simply place your neast box over the top, the eggs sitt in the hollow and dont roll around at all, the sand keeps them in place, i done use any nesting material at all as the duck will do a great jo at linning it herself, i also get good hatching rates useing this method ,

but i have heard of people use all different types of nest boxes ,

rusticular · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:08 pm

Hi,
I do the same as Jase, however I do have a problem with bush rats from the nearby creek tunneling up under the nest. I don't make a hollow as my duck will do this themselves, then line it with fathers and down, as well as anything else they can drag into it. They usually end up looking like they are floating on a cloud of down. Using half molasses barrels allows easy access and removal for cleaning when nesting is complete, however, even with two or three nests, if both ducks are laying at the same time, you can bet they will both want "the best one".
regards
Rusticular

Harryk · **Joined:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:25 pm **Posts:** 7

Do you ever get the problem of rising damp from rain?

muscovieduck · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:34 am

thanks everyone for the suggestions. Another duck has gone clucky before I've had the chance to elevate her nest. She's nesting inside a shed, but right up against one of the closed doors. It's been raining pretty regularly here and some moisture seeps in under the door, so I'm just refreshing the bedding if it's damp and trying not to remove too much of her down in the process.

One of my girls is just far too maternal for her own good. She's just been sitting on a clutch for the full term, only for them to turn out rotten. So a week later, she's gone and found where one of my other girls has been laying and gone clucky on her nest! .. I had to kick her off so the other girl can continue laying there. She was on there for one day, and she already broke an egg trying to maintain possession of the nest. I've had to catch the girl who's laying, put her in where the nest is, and shut her in there so that the other girl can't get in there to steal her nest again. Those two always want the same nest, every time I have to separate them 'cause they break eggs and don't incubate properly 'cause they're both trying to claim the nest. Would it be worth moving one of these girls on and getting another? or is it something that happens a lot anyway regardless?

rusticular · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:55 am

Hi,
my nests are on raised ground, and the river sand tends not to draw water like topsoil any way. One other thing, the half barrels are fairly small, so the ducks usually come off the nest to eat and poop (you'll know when they poop). The first week or so they are off the nest quite a bit, once they really get started they won't come off at all, so it's good at that stage to have food and water close by. Don't be surprised if they eat only a tiny amount at that stage.
Rusticular

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

nest ideas?

Who is on the Forum