BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[dfr1973]

Can you share your cooking method for the muscovy? I have one in the freezer I need to cook, and hadn't landed on what method would be best.

This was the first duck I've roasted, so I pulled out the reprint 1950 Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook for instructions: roast uncovered at 300F for 3.5-4 hours (for a 4-6 lb duck, ours was bigger). Do NOT brush with fat, season, cover, or baste ... what the instructions didn't mention is if you put it on a small rack in the roasting pan like I did, then it fries the skin nice and crispy. It also said to start breast down, then turn halfway through. The in-laws were impressed at how little fat/grease stayed in the meat. We ate it plain, not gravy or sauce - I had thought to put some homemade orange marmalade on it at the table, but that was promptly forgotten after first taste.

 

[dfr1973]

I do @dfr1973! I still have lot's of room for new projects over here. I have 3 1/2 acres to play with! lol

That may not last long LOL - I have 2-1/2 acres, but the goat pasture takes up almost a full acre, and the pig pen takes up a 16x32 ft chunk of that (potbelly crosses). Then of course, there's the house and outbuildings, and room for gardens, plus I planted some fruit trees, some of which are still alive.

 

[BlueBaby]

That may not last long LOL - I have 2-1/2 acres, but the goat pasture takes up almost a full acre, and the pig pen takes up a 16x32 ft chunk of that (potbelly crosses). Then of course, there's the house and outbuildings, and room for gardens, plus I planted some fruit trees, some of which are still alive.

Well, I am really not planning on more than chickens. I want to start a second flock going on my SOP B/B/S Australorps for sure, and then maybe start up a 3rd flock as a project one. My chicken math isn't done yet!

 

[dfr1973]

Well, I am really not planning on more than chickens.... My chicken math isn't done yet!

 

[GabrielBane]

LOL!

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

Quote: Thank you! I will try that (once I recover from all this turkey, that is...). Maybe for Christmas...

Quote: OMG - my first instinct was to laugh... And then I realized how true it is.

I have 1.6 acres. Currently the chickens are taking up the most space (I have them in different housing groups, each with rotating paddocks). But one of these days... GOATS!!!!

- Ant Farm

 

[Beer can]

Thank you! I will try that (once I recover from all this turkey, that is...). Maybe for Christmas... 

OMG - my first instinct was to laugh... And then I realized how true it is. 

I have 1.6 acres. Currently the chickens are taking up the most space (I have them in different housing groups, each with rotating paddocks). But one of these days... GOATS!!!! 

- Ant Farm 

 

[BlueBaby]

Now, those White Jersey Giants look good to me, but I don't know if they would do well in my summers over here. I do run misters for my chickens during the hotter months, and my Australorps pulled through it ok. I like the big chicken breeds.

 

[miss heny]

don't forget the 25 quail

 

[DesertChic]

don't forget the 25 quail

And a handful of Muscovy....and it would be so nice to raise our own turkeys....