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Muscovy

Muscovies are the only domestic "ducks" that are not bred from the mallard. They are a wild South...

General Information

Egg Color
Creamy White
Breed Colors/Varieties
The original, wild muscovy is predominately black and white. Domesticity has produced other colors,such as all white or black,chocolate, blue, lavender and more, and patterns such as barred.
Breed Size
Large Fowl
Muscovies are the only domestic "ducks" that are not bred from the mallard. They are a wild South American species that has been domesticated. They are actually a "close cousin" to the duck. The muscovy being to the duck what a donkey is to a horse. Males are very large, and can weigh up to twelve pounds and females may reach eight pounds. They will lay 50-120 eggs a year.

Latest reviews

Best Ducks I've Ever Owned
Pros: Very Self Sufficient, Quiet, Friendly, Calm Temperment, Large, Great Foragers, Great Mothering, Hardy, Lots Of Colors
Cons: They Fly, Frostbite Prone, Hard To Handle, Very Broody, Hard To Coop
I have had a variety of Mallard Derived breeds over the years. Rouens, Pekins, both Swedish, Buff, and cross breeds. I love them all but Muscovy ducks were completely different.

I got my firsts as ducklings. They were skittish, but after a while of working with them all were comfortable coming up to me for attention. They're so much fun to watch and entertaining. Even my few who don't appreciate my presence will tolerate me hanging out versus running away.

They do Fly. An experienced friend told me the males get too big eventually and just the girls do, but my boys all still fly.

They are Frostbite Prone. They're very hardy birds but those caruncles are exposed flesh and that makes them a big frostbite risk.

They have the longest and sharpest claws I've ever seen on a domestic animal! I got so many deep scratches raising them. Which makes them difficult to handle them, especially when they're full grown.

I had mine going into the coop regularly once they were grown, however after a week they realized they could go back out the door even if it was late. So mine stopped cooping. Now mine free-range entirely amd sleep in barns, down at the pond during the summer, or in the yard.

I've seen it said that they don't need a lot of water, which I think isn't wrong. However... mine seem to love it more than my Pekin! They visit the pond for hours daily and swim, splash, and enjoy themselves. They might not mind having a whole pond's worth of water but they do love it as waterfowl do!

The biggest reason I love them is that they are hatching monsters. I had a hen hatch in the dead of winter. Mine have laid nests of 20 eggs with full intentions of sitting. They want to nest and hatch eggs. So much so that they need to. If you don't want/aren't able to handle babies these are probably not the best pick. They're really great with ducklings though, very maternal.

I love how great at foraging they are. Mine have access to feed but they never eat it unless they want a little treat. They'd much rather be out in the pond sifting or in the mud. But this only works the best if you have the space. Mine have a very large barnyard to explore as well as multiple pastures and they have explored all of it.

They don't quack, just huffing and whistling from boys and girls respectively. They are so much fun to watch and they have very strong flock bonds and dynamics. They need to be with their flock and don't like to be quarantined alone.

Overall they're great birds. I've loved having them every second! Personally, if you have the space, a place for them to keep out of the weather, don't mind lots of babies, and can give them food and water sufficiently I think they make a good starting duck breed. Mine are very hands off, versus my Mallard Derived breeds that always need a little help and care. Mostly, they're wonderful birds and the easiest I've ever taken care of!
Purchase Price
10usd - 15usd

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Muscovy ducks
Pros: Don't swim as much as other ducks.
aren't as messy as other ducks.
quiet compared to other ducks.
they're big size and good meat makes them excellent meat birds.
Cons: Some are capable of flight.
they are bullies to smaller birds.
they are hard to handle with their sharp claws, strength and size.
Good birds, very quiet but some females can fly.
the females make a quiet whimpering sound and they can make a quack like sound when stressed, drakes make a hissing sound and will usually bully or fight other drakes.
I'm giving them 4 stars because they are good birds but not for everybody.
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Purchase Price
$5 - $50 Australian dollars
Jenbirdee
Jenbirdee
They are so cool looking too
Pros: Easy to be around
Not agressive
Quiet
Large so can be used for meat
I let mine roam around and they even sleep outside on the trees near my pond. Have had no deaths and have been raising them for a year
Entertaining
Cons: can be mean to ducks smaller than them
They are amazing animals. I leave mine outside and feed them a mix of corn, wheat, sunflower seeds, milo, and oats. They are beutiful ducks and are super quiet and alert. Cold hardy and can fly fairly well. I'm giving this review because they are amazing!
FIVE STARS
Purchase Price
$4.00 each for a 4 month old moscovy
Purchase Date
2019
Jenbirdee
Jenbirdee
wow 5 stars you really love them! and for good reason!

Comments

That's fine MsPoultry, I don't eat dogs either but with the way this country is headed, our children and grand children will be eating things that neither you nor I would even consider. This is not a political statement but rather a statement of fact. Our population is growing almost as fast as some Third World countries but we have the ability to keep everyone alive for ever...lolol

For the record...I raise dogs that always go over 100 pounds and sometimes they look like they are considering having me for lunch...lolol

Pease don't get upset with me, I like to have fun in life!!!
 
My muscovy ended up sleeping on the roof of my home! Needless to say, I clipped their left wing. They can still fly some, but they don't have the accuracy and lift to get up high.
 
I have chickens and muscovies together and they don't much bother with each other at all. Although I have one RIR hen who flies up and kicks the drakes in the head when they pin a female muscovy down to mate who is trying to get away.
 
I don't think they are mad nor do I think they are really ducks but somewhat more goose. The Muscovy is the only water fowl we would own.

Jason
 
Free ranging Muscovys are the best bug catchers and foragers I have ever seen. Little ducklings, not over a few days old will catch right flies out of the air. Ticks, grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and other creepy crawlers don't stand a chance. I don't have any muscovy ducks right now but my neighbor does and they are a sight to behold.
 
I had Muscovies at one time you brought up some excellent points. One point you neglected to mention is they are also death on slugs, mosquitoes and insects pests.
Through the spring and summer months they can free range and meet most of their dietary needs. Their eggs are also larger and superior in quality to chicken eggs.
 
I have a male that has just grown that bump on bill and he was so sweet and now he's so violent I can't keep him I have five other ducks but they are mallards and are so much smaller he hurts them and my kids see it was my kids that found him when he was so little in our city in middle of road we asked everyone if they knew of the baby they all said no I feel so bad because he is so mean I know it's because he thinks he is in composition with us for mates but he is crazy should I have him put down I think not he don't have anyone duck like him he's solo in the pin I need help. AND yes more like a Goose then a duck
 
A Duck Breed I am interested in...but know nothing about ducks really. Can you house them over winter with the chickens? Or is it better if they have their own space?
 
A Duck Breed I am interested in...but know nothing about ducks really. Can you house them over winter with the chickens? Or is it better if they have their own space?
Well it will be better for your chickens to keep them separate from any kind of ducks as they are messy. Ducks will spill the water, spoil the food and they may become aggressive with your chickens especially the drakes. I have even seen a Drake trying to rape a hen.
 
A Duck Breed I am interested in...but know nothing about ducks really. Can you house them over winter with the chickens? Or is it better if they have their own space?
I always want to be polite and to show respect to people and animals. But Muscovy Ducks are very territorial animals and the drakes use to f@@@ other female birds.
 
I've a muscovy Drake and I waighd him he can in at 9 pounds 20 ounce and I've seen him with fox fur in his claws the others day and all I good think about is what a legand he his this tiny wee animale taking on probably a big hugery fox and have no feathers out of place better than any guard dog I've ever had lol​
 

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Category
Ducks
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