i would say a good strain of silver appleyards are what you want. I have a pair of awesome SA, that i will be breeding next year. The SA lays very good, and the drakes wigh a good amount.
i have saxony's to, and do not like them as much as the SA
any of the dual purpose breeds will do. Find a color and/or type you like and go with it. I would suggest a breed on the ALBC list. Then you can help preserve a rare breed. http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#ducks
Here is a picture of my late Mr. Drake I don't know if his claws show up in this smaller picture though. He only used them to hold onto the roost at night, yes Muscovies like to roost at night or when they are just hanging out. I have never been scratched by my Muscovies. Though I have plenty of times by my hens and Roos. They use their bills though to catch hold of chickens in the rears when they get into their food. Now that does start a fuss.
Edited to Add:
Having had Muscovies for over a year now, I don't consider the ducks mentioned other than Peking a large duck. Muscovies can be massive. Actually I normally do my own culling but with the Muscovies, my DH has to lend a hand, cause the drakes are just to heavy for me even when young. I speak from recently culling my little flock several days ago and they were just 12 weeks old.
Thanks for the picture. They don't look that bad. My 2 month old Saxony ducks have nails that look almost identical to your picture. I've gotten scratched by them once or twice. Still a have scar tissue on my wrist.
I've noticed that they are now getting some uplift, even though they wont be able to fly. A friend of mine told me that hers can make a 3 foot fence. with running start. We will see what they will do. It's the male that get most of the uplift. He is a smart one and escape artist. He does not mind squeezing himself through tight holes.
I have 8 Silver Appleyards. I specifically got them for their egg production and meat. The 8 I have now will be my breeders and I'll collect their eggs and yes *gasp* some of their offspring will go to my freezer. They say they Silver Appleyard is the gourmet roasting duck. And let me tell you they are a massive duck. Here's one of mine standing next to my muscovy drake. She's only 11 weeks old.
Wow, MysticalMom, that S.A. is huge! I will have to keep that in mind in the future. 11 weeks? Geeze... Do you know how much that Muscovy drake weighs? I saw one yesterday that was just massive...
i have saxony's to, and do not like them as much as the SA
