Recent content by Steffanyace

  1. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I assumed we were all on the same page about responsible breeding. I should know better than to assume (LOL), so let me clarify: All thoughts about breeding for variations or future breeds based off of muscovy ducks would mean that the resulting animal would be a healthy animal free of any...
  2. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I guess I should rephrase the question, so we are all on the same page . . . Is there any interest in selectively breeding for variations in muscovy ducks (suck as has been done with mallards) considering they are selectively bred with the health of the animal being of number one importance?
  3. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I am an animal science major with emphasis on reproduction. I also used to successfully show horses at a national level. I've shown several other animals, bred quality show horse, etc. I "get" breeding and showing. The original muscovy will not be lost. There would just be different...
  4. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I believe, and it is just my opinion, that breeding for show stock is what messes up a breed. Look at show bred German shepherds vs. working German stock. I think some breeders have really done their breeds wrong, but I believe getting a better show animal is the driver behind the...
  5. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    Picture a white muscovy where the caruncles are smooth and black. While it wouldn't have the long neck, the face would be swan like.
  6. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I have a blue drake with a lot of black in his face.
  7. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    I don't think we should get rid of the original muscovy duck. I'm just hoping to add some additional varieties. Think about it this way. How many people would own dogs if they were all wolf-like? The breed variations mostly all came about to be better at a certain purpose, but how many...
  8. Steffanyace

    Breeding for certain muscovy traits

    There are so many breeds that came from mallards, so why aren't breeders doing the same with muscovy ducks? I personally prefer the smooth caruncle muscovies. I think it would be nice to breed for black caruncles instead of red, or a black smooth with a red bumpy trim. I could see them being...
  9. Steffanyace

    Which egg laying breed should we get?

    We will have two paddocks (about 1/2 acre each) with horse fence that we were hoping to rotate between the horses and chickens. The chickens could be on the pasture that the horses are not. The chickens would always have access to their house and would be locked up at night. Would Easter...
  10. Steffanyace

    Which egg laying breed should we get?

    I'm thinking about getting chickens and am interested in a dual purpose egg layer. Here are some questions/considerations: 1. Which breeds lay what the grocery store considers "large" eggs (to work with my recipes)? 2. I would prefer a calm breed to be able to handle them. Maybe...
  11. Steffanyace

    Has my muscovy gone broody? Nesting box question.

    I think I will let her have the nest the way it is this time, but I will change the other nest box. I saw the chocolate one eyeballing it this morning.
  12. Steffanyace

    Has my muscovy gone broody? Nesting box question.

    She seems to be sitting at night, so maybe that is what is going on. She has put down feathers on the nest, and today she partially covered them up with hay.
  13. Steffanyace

    What do muscovies eat?

    Silly question, I know, but they eat so many different things. I always wonder what there is available in the yard for them to forage on. In the summer we have tons of grasshoppers, but what about other times during the year? I just found out they eat dandelions, and sure enough, we don't...
  14. Steffanyace

    Has my muscovy gone broody? Nesting box question.

    This is all new to me, so pardon the basic questions. My muscovy has made a nest in the duck house (yay) and has eleven eggs. I couldn't find her the other day, and it turns out she was sitting on her eggs. I thought she had gone broody, but then she will be off the nest for hours at a time...
  15. Steffanyace

    Muscovies aren't laying eggs yet. Why?

    I was hoping to have her find a comfy spot to make a nest and then I could find it and transfer her and her eggs/nest to the duck house. I think if I left her locked in the duck house she would stress and not lay eggs. I thought letting her free range until she had a nest built up and then...
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