Are these ducklings Muscovies?

[Smartie_Pants]

I went to the farmers market today and saw a cage full of adorable ducklings. The man who had them is very abusive and uncaring, so when I asked him what kind they were I wasn't surprised that his answer was "uh...babies." I walked away because I figured they were muscovies, and I've never had any interest in raising them, but as I walked around I kept thinking about them and went back to buy them.

I think they are muscovies. I also bought two muscovie ducklings from another man who said one is lavender and one is chocolate. You can see them in the picture below. Are they? I figured if I was going to buy some, I might as well jump in and get six. Here they are:

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Oh, and the two that aren't pictured look like the two that are black and yellow. Two of them have solid pink beaks, two have a lot of black on their beaks.

Feel free to tell me all you know about muscovies too.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Great buy! Nice, very nice Scovies! Welcome to the wonderful world of Muscovy Keepers. I haven't seen a lavender duckling but with that light coloring, I wouldn't be surprised. You are going to have some very nice looking birds there. Nice color combination.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

Thanks for the complement. I guess I did good then? I've raised Blue Sweds, Rouens, Mallards, and Magpies, but never Muscovies. I don't know anything about recognising the colors, but the man I got the chocolate and lavender from was very nice and very knowlegable, so I took his word for it. Even if they turn out other colors, I don't really care.

Here's a better pic of the colored ones:

 

[NancyDz]

Very cute!!! Congrats... I bet you love muscovies after having them a few weeks. Mine follow me around the yard and are so sweet.


Nancy

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Good pic, I love scovies!

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I can already tell they are different than other breeds. I can reach right in and pet them or pick them up and they don't run or act scared. I hope they stay like this!

I do have a few questions now though.

1.) At what age can you tell the sex? I've read that the males are bigger in only a few weeks and they have bigger feet compared to the females. Do they have bigger feet from the start, or is it something they develope in time?

2.) Can you still voice sex them? After rasing many babies of the other breeds, I've gotten an ear for which baby voices turn into quacks or whispers. Does it still apply?

3.) I know I've seen before that muscovies need a higher amount of protien as babies. How much? The gamebird starter I have is...24% I think.

4.) Do they begin laying at the same time as the other breeds? Sooner? Later?

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I thought muscovies sounded different, or does that not kick in until later? They are peeping just like regular ducklings, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[JessHall]

They do end up sounding different... they're like little doggies... they "hiss" but it sounds like a dog panting and they wag their tails

It's pretty funny.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

#1. You will easily be able to tell by 8 wks at the latest. By then the draklets are getting really big and the girls are still pretty small and dainty.
#2. My juveniles are still peeping at 8wks. The boys will eventually just hiss, like a cat sounds but short bursts. Haa Haa Haa.

The girls will hiss when they are warning you off or are upset but they also can make a sharp whistle/chirp sound esp when they are broody and coming out for a quick bite to eat. They never get very loud generally only whistle/chirping quietly. Even if you have 40 Scovies all talking at the same time it is fairly etheral sounding and quite pretty.
#3. 20% chick starter is high enough and you can give them the 16% duck food at 2-3wks if you can get it. Angel wing is something you want to keep an eye out for. Give them plenty of greens and let them forage if possible for bugs and stuff. My broody ducks had their ducklings out foraging by the time they were only a week old. I went ahead and gave them extra niacin in their water while they were on the chick starter but I know some who don't.
#4. That I don't know. They are seasonal layers/breeders so don't expect yours to lay/breed till next spring.
Hope this helps. I know there are others on here that have more experience w/Scovies and I'm sure they will help you out more.