Can unhandled ducks be 'tamed'?

[Speceider]

I do know the taxonomy, and I've studied Muscovies extensively and raised them for years, so you may assume I know exactly what I'm talking about, at least where my farmyard flock is concerned.  

So if your only reference is your farmyard flock....how would you know if you are wrong?

Clint

 

[Mashallaharabia]

More to the point, how would YOU know if I am wrong? Have you had Muscovies for years? I have, and I don't imagine that all of mine just happen to be wildly different from anyone else's Muscovies. I think perhaps you're bored and looking to flame-bait.

 

[Speceider]

What 40+ years....judged waterfowl...PhD in waterfowl biology....guess I know nothing compared to your "farm" flock... yeah....you know the taxonomy.......just too lazy to look it up....so answer the question..

What do wild-type duckling look like and when did the dusky gene show up in wild-type ducklings? After all, you have extensively studied them.

Clint

 

[Mashallaharabia]

Since I'm a lot more worried about my hay crop right now, and the fact that the garden should have been planted last week if we're to make the early farmers' market ( and it's still too cold) I couldn't care less about playing games with you right now.

 

[Speceider]

Since I'm a lot more worried about my hay crop right now, and the fact that the garden should have been planted last week if we're to make the early farmers' market ( and it's still too cold) I  couldn't care less about playing games with you right now. 

Don't have answers but have excuses...if all that is so important why are you playing here at all. Guess when you are called out all you have are a pair of threes....

Clint

 

[Mashallaharabia]

Main reason; I don't care. I studied the breed as homestead ducks before choosing this breed, I know what my birds are like, esoteric questions that do not concern MY raising Muscovys for eggs and meat are not worth my time. Now if you could tell me where to get new teeth for a New Holland haybine at a better price than TSC, I'll listen.

 

[Speceider]

Why are you wasting your time trying to sound like an expert here?

Clint

 

[mymoneypit]

I'm fairly certain my drake is going to be more interested in the female CHICKENS over the ducks.

He's been with them since day 1 and is pretty flock bound. Maybe if I put him in with the duck hens in their own enclosure for a month he'll straighten up. The Duck hens seem to make flirty eyes at him, though, and try to follow him around. But the 2 month old chicken pullets will try to jump up and scratch the duck hens away.

Sorry bout the toddler fight there OP. From what I've read, Given the choice, I believe that a pekin will choose a pekin to mate, but if potential mates are few, he'll make due with whatever duck is available. I was reading up on it when determining if I wanted more muscovies or a mix of breeds.

There is also a meat birds board on this forum, you can find it in the menu at the top of this page. I have read quite a bit there as well. There are quite a few chicken topics you need to scroll through but you can find duck, muscovy, and "mules" topics, or use the search feature.

I decided I am getting more muscovies, and will keep the parents as pets but want to let them raise their own babies for food.

My duck didn't start laying till her 10 month birthday, I think that's actually a little late. She started laying about 2 weeks after I gave her an old covered cat litter pan with straw in it. Your new girls are likely ready to lay, but new surroundings could interrupt them. Find some enclosed container, a litter pan, a cat crate with no door, something about that size for them to nest in. And if they know you'll let them out, they might hide their eggs if they find a cozy spot outside.

 

[Icedangel11]

I actually think that's where my girls ran off to today. They left long enough to make a nest and lay an egg, then returned home. I've put a dog igloo in the coop they may like. I've also got.. Well I made it as an introduction pen for chicks. A mini 'run' inside the coop filled with lots of thick bedding. 3 foot wide, 5 foot long. One of my hens (Despite the nest box RIGHT above it!) LOVES to dig a hole and lay her egg in the bedding.

 

[Icedangel11]

OTL

My hens decided to free range into the neighbors pond.

And they wont come out.

Looks like I have to send in the dogs to drive them back XD