Have you ever noticed that almost no hatchery carries Muscovy? On line bird auctions don't sell Muscovy. Have you ever wandered why, then they are one of the most popular poultry, not just ducks.. but poultry in the US, that you can't buy them on line?
It doesn't take much research to figure it out. They are now considered "wild life" with in the US agriculture system. They can be sold as meat only, and eggs can only be sold for food. In short, you can use what you have, but its illegal to obtain new stock. No one cares, knows about or follows these laws for the most part ,but interstate hatcheries have no choice to to acknowledged and follow the laws. This means you won't see Muscovy ducklings anytime soon in any of the most popular hatcheries. Yes, I have seen a few, but they are fading fast.
What does this mean for those that show Muscovy? Or those that enjoy them as back yard breeding projects, or even for commercial meat farms? It means that in the near future Large "factory" farms will be the only ones licensed to own or breed the Muscovy, and that back yard farms can't trade breeding stock.. not legally. Like I said no one cares or is following these laws, they aren't enforced, they are however recently on the books.
The Muscovy has the largest range of color genetics of any other duck (or in their case.. duck like) species. This is allot of fun for the back yard breeder. They have the healthiest meat and a unique flavored meat. Something wonderful for farmers markets.
What will all this mean for those who love the Muscovy? Will we become known as the black market duck breeders? Will eggs become contraband? Sure sounds like it. For the first time in American history we have a real rebel duck.
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that Muscovy were disappearing off of hatchery lists? If this continues, we small breeders will be the only supply of this unique bird.
It doesn't take much research to figure it out. They are now considered "wild life" with in the US agriculture system. They can be sold as meat only, and eggs can only be sold for food. In short, you can use what you have, but its illegal to obtain new stock. No one cares, knows about or follows these laws for the most part ,but interstate hatcheries have no choice to to acknowledged and follow the laws. This means you won't see Muscovy ducklings anytime soon in any of the most popular hatcheries. Yes, I have seen a few, but they are fading fast.
What does this mean for those that show Muscovy? Or those that enjoy them as back yard breeding projects, or even for commercial meat farms? It means that in the near future Large "factory" farms will be the only ones licensed to own or breed the Muscovy, and that back yard farms can't trade breeding stock.. not legally. Like I said no one cares or is following these laws, they aren't enforced, they are however recently on the books.
The Muscovy has the largest range of color genetics of any other duck (or in their case.. duck like) species. This is allot of fun for the back yard breeder. They have the healthiest meat and a unique flavored meat. Something wonderful for farmers markets.
What will all this mean for those who love the Muscovy? Will we become known as the black market duck breeders? Will eggs become contraband? Sure sounds like it. For the first time in American history we have a real rebel duck.
I was wondering if anyone else had noticed that Muscovy were disappearing off of hatchery lists? If this continues, we small breeders will be the only supply of this unique bird.
