Muscovy questions

LaynaDon95 said:

I'm new to this whole bird raising thing. I'm planning to get Muscovy ducks in the spring. I've never had ducks before of any kind and I have a few questions.


1) Should I clip their wings? Do muscovies ever leave home after they are settled in?

You should clip.

2) I feed my chickens 20% laying mash, can ducks eat that? do/can they eat scratch grains? Do they need any special feed?

No

3) How much of their food do muscovies really forage for?

All of it. No feed necesary. Except in winter.

4) Have you ever had problems housing your muscovies and chickens together?

Yes. The muscovies can be troublous...

5) How do you take eggs from them to eat/keep them from going broody without killing the broody instinct completely? I want them to hatch out clutches every so often but I don't need to be overrun with ducks!

You don't have to worry about extinguishing broodiness.

Thank you for the answers, and of course feel free to add any advice!

I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives. - unknown
Chicken pot pie sounds like a good idea. If you add commas. - unknown

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kuntrygirl said:

1) Should I clip their wings? If you don't want them to fly, you should clip their wings.
Do muscovies ever leave home after they are settled in? Mine never leave home.

2) I feed my chickens 20% laying mash, can ducks eat that? Yes, they can eat 20%
do/can they eat scratch grains? I don't feed mine scratch grains
Do they need any special feed? No

3) How much of their food do muscovies really forage for? I always provide feed but they do love grass and bugs.

4) Have you ever had problems housing your muscovies and chickens together? No problem at all. Many of my muscovys roost with the chickens.

5) How do you take eggs from them to eat/keep them from going broody without killing the broody instinct completely? I have not had that problem.
I want them to hatch out clutches every so often but I don't need to be overrun with ducks! Take it from me, you don't want to be overrun with ducks.

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Miss Lydia said:

 

kuntrygirl said:

1) Should I clip their wings? If you don't want them to fly, you should clip their wings.

Do muscovies ever leave home after they are settled in? Mine never leave home.


2) I feed my chickens 20% laying mash, can ducks eat that? Yes, they can eat 20%

do/can they eat scratch grains? I don't feed mine scratch grains

Do they need any special feed? No


3) How much of their food do muscovies really forage for? I always provide feed but they do love grass and bugs.


4) Have you ever had problems housing your muscovies and chickens together? No problem at all. Many of my muscovys roost with the chickens.


5) How do you take eggs from them to eat/keep them from going broody without killing the broody instinct completely? I have not had that problem.

I want them to hatch out clutches every so often but I don't need to be overrun with ducks! Take it from me, you don't want to be overrun with ducks. :/

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I like that last line Kuntry, you know better than any of us! 

 

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LaynaDon95 said:

I just read how many ducks you have!!! No, no I definitely don't want quite that many... 

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