Catching male Muscovy

[Lin71]

Good morning! I have a very large male Muscovy (Jim) When I got him his wings were clipped. They have grown out and I was hoping not to clip them again as he is very heavy and I didn't think he would fly far but he has recently started flying out of the garden (I live in a residential area) and has ended up in the street. I am worried he will get hurt/hit by cars etc.
I tried to catch him yesterday to trim his wings but he got really upset and I was worried he was going to injure himself so gave up. He has never been handled but is generally very friendly and calm.
Any tips on catching him that will cause the least distress and risk of injury?
Thanks guys

 

[IvysAnimals]

Try to get him in a corner or in an enclosed area, get another person or netting to throw over him, or have the other person help catch and hold him. You might think you're hurting him, but you have to be firm to keep them still. Then, it's better to watch a video on how to clip their wings because it's hard to explain when it's very important to see where you're clipping. Make sure he also has an enclosed area, or he will keep leaving and might not come back if he finds another place favorable to be.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I walk mine into their coop and pick them up. That way I don't have to stress either of us out very much.
You def want to keep home so wing clipping is a must. Only one wing needs to be clipped to keep him grounded. Does he have other ducks to keep him company?

 

[Lin71]

Hi both, Thank you for replies. I've done it! I caught him in the pen and used a towel to wrap him. It was rather awkward on my own but managed ok.I watched several videos to make sure I did it correctly. He relaxed after a few minutes and was really good whilst I did them. It was like a full body workout catching and holding him ha ha! At least I can relax now knowing he won't end up flying into the road. He has a female (Winnie) She hatched 14 ducklings in May and they have all been homed in the last week so back to just the two of them. Phew! So glad I managed. Advice really helped as I was nervous of hurting or distressing Jim but it went very smoothly

 

[ruthhope]

Good morning! I have a very large male Muscovy (Jim) When I got him his wings were clipped. They have grown out and I was hoping not to clip them again as he is very heavy and I didn't think he would fly far but he has recently started flying out of the garden (I live in a residential area) and has ended up in the street. I am worried he will get hurt/hit by cars etc.
I tried to catch him yesterday to trim his wings but he got really upset and I was worried he was going to injure himself so gave up. He has never been handled but is generally very friendly and calm.
Any tips on catching him that will cause the least distress and risk of injury?
Thanks guys

I have no tips on catching your drake that wont cause temporary stress. You just have to corner him and pick him up quickly. My 2 male muscovy are used to being handled but one has to be cornered -- and takes me on a good song and dance round the garden -- if I need to get the ducks into the coop early because I am going out. He's just wiley and stubborn. At his appointed time, he comes to the coop door for me to lift him up to his roost atop a dogcrate. But half an hour before his time, with all 4 other ducks safely billeted for the night, he is both running away and avoiding places he can be cornered!!

Have you seen your guy fly or just found him in the street? If you have just found him in the street, I would look for places that he can squeeze or jump out. My second muscovy drake could get up on my side gate as a juvenile, a year ago. He doesnt do that now but he recently found he could squeeze through between the chainlink gate frame and the gate post. It's not 6", it's just the space needed by the closing latch. I had to temporarily loop my garden hose twice through the gap to stop him.

It might be easier to block an escape hole than to catch your boy!

 

[DukesDucks]

I have trouble catching one of my drakes. l have found the best method is to have him in coop so run space is limited. I slowly move him into a corner and then drop a plastic laundry basket over him. This confines the wing span and I can easily reach under the basket in a way that is safe for us both. Once his wings are controlled against his sides he is fine.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I walk mine into their coop and pick them up. That way I don't have to stress either of us out very much.
You def want to keep home so wing clipping is a must. Only one wing needs to be clipped to keep him grounded. Does he have other ducks to keep him company?

Congrats on catching him. They are very forgiving especially if treats are offered afterward.