Rural Gardening: Help! Drake isn't breeding & ducks quit laying!, 1 by Cottage_Rose

Cottage_Rose wrote:
What the heck is going on with my Muscovies?!?
First... in one of my breeding pens, my 2 yr. old ripple Muscovy drake hasn't been breeding his girls (at all!). He's healthy and normal looking and acting in every respect...other than loss of libido and now all my Muscovy ducks have quit laying and they aren't all broody. Only 4 are setting on eggs.
Do non broody ducks quit laying in the presense of setting ducks?
There hasn't been any major changes in their feed (they get duck pellets & whole oats, 2 to 1)) or environment other than our cold Spring.
Any ideas?

Pic of ripple Muscovy hens sitting on eggs.
Note all the down!