Hatching Muscovy Ducks: Fantasy Poultry Plus x Affordable Avian

Affordable Avian has published this Muscovy Hatching Guide in conjunction with Fantasy Poultry Plus, a breeder of various types of poultry and waterfowl. If you are looking for Muscovies, click HERE to be taken to their Facebook page. Here is a Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to hatch Muscovy ducks:

If you’re considering hatching Muscovy ducks, you’re in for a rewarding experience. These unique ducks are beloved for their quiet nature, excellent meat quality, and mosquito-hunting abilities. Unlike most domestic duck breeds, Muscovies are a species all their own (Cairina moschata), and their hatching process comes with a few special considerations.

Here’s everything you need to know to hatch Muscovy ducks successfully, whether you’re using an incubator or relying on a broody hen.

Why Choose Muscovy Ducks?

Muscovies are distinct from other types of domesticated duck because they’re not descended from Mallards. They’re quieter (they hiss instead of quacking), great foragers, and can even fly unless their wings have been clipped. They’re also known for being exceptionally good mothers, which makes natural hatching and surrogate hatching a viable option.

Step 1: Collecting Fertile Muscovy Eggs

To start, you’ll need fertile eggs from a drake (male) and duck (female). Look for eggs that are:

• Clean but unwashed (washing can damage the protective bloom)

• Stored pointy side down at 55–65°F

• No more than 7–10 days old for the best hatch rate
  

If you're sourcing eggs from a farm such as our friends at Fantasy Poultry Plus, ensure they’re shipped with care and rested for 12–24 hours before incubation.

Step 2: Understanding the Incubation Timeline

Muscovy duck eggs take longer to hatch than most duck eggs. Their incubation period is typically 35 days, compared to the standard 28 days for Mallard-derived ducks.

Step 3: Incubating Muscovy Duck Eggs

If you’re using an incubator:

• Temperature: 99.5°F (forced-air) or 101.5°F (still-air)

• Humidity: 55–60% for the first 32 days, increasing to 65–70% for hatching

• Turning: 3–5 times daily until day 32 (stop turning for lockdown)
  

Some choose an automatic turner, however Fantasy Poultry Plus recommends hand turning due to the fact that most automatic turners move more often than needed for waterfowl eggs. And don't forget to monitor air cells weekly by candling to ensure proper development!

Step 4: The Lockdown Period

At day 32, stop turning the eggs and increase humidity. This is the “lockdown” phase. Keep the incubator closed as much as possible to maintain stable conditions.

Step 5: Hatching Time

Muscovy ducklings may take 24–48 hours to fully emerge after pipping. Don’t rush to assist unless absolutely necessary. A healthy duckling will rest between stages of hatching.

Pro tip: If your incubator doesn’t retain humidity well, consider adding a sponge or shallow dish of warm water to boost levels during hatch.

Step 6: Aftercare for Ducklings

Once dry and fluffy, transfer ducklings to a brooder with:

• 90°F heat for the first week (decrease by ~5°F weekly)

• Non-slip flooring

• Access to water deep enough to dip their bills, but not deep enough to drown
  

Feed them a waterfowl or non-medicated chick starter (20–22% protein) and offer niacin supplements to support healthy leg development. Great supplementation options are brewer's yeast and green peas. (They absolutely LOVE peas!)

Bonus: Hatching Muscovies Naturally

Muscovy hens are famously broody and make great mothers. If you have a reliable broody hen, you can let her hatch eggs herself in a quiet, predator-proof nest box. Just check periodically for broken eggs or intrusions, and make sure she has access to food and water.

Final Thoughts:

Hatching Muscovy ducks takes a little extra time and attention, but the payoff is well worth it. Whether you’re raising them for eggs, meat, pest control, or companionship, these birds bring a lot of value to any backyard flock.

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