Do I have 2 females or is my drake sitting on eggs??? What!!?

[Gokutheduck]

Unfortunately it's more than just stomach issues. I've even passed out after eating them. It's the weirdest thing. But, its "normal" with a sensitivity towards a food.
I thought maybe I could bake with them, but had a similar issue on a smaller scale.

I just gave a friend 2 dozen duck eggs, so it's all good. I also feed them to the chickens and my dogs.

Oh please do take care of yourself

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Here's JJ snorting (and catching tomatoes).

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I do my best to avoid picking them up as much as possible as yes, it’s a long sleeve full PPE type of gig - if they must be carried. I get them one arm right across the front of their legs and one arm across their bum (dangerous part) so they can’t slip their wings out and belt you in the face with them. Even feathers with that force leaves a bruise.

My one drake is tame enough I can have him perch briefly on my forearm. He's super heavy though, so it's probably less than a minute.
I've found if you can corner them and scoop them up with their wings pinned to their body holding them with their bottom away from you - like a football hold, you can manage them. These days I've got weak hands from arthritis, so its important to have a good grip.
I've got a good scar across my forearm from a muscovy claw, so it's always good to keep those feet under control.

 

[BigAspirations]

Here's JJ snorting (and catching tomatoes).

He does snort!! And catches. Very impressed.

 

[Gokutheduck]

Here's JJ snorting (and catching tomatoes).

Aww it's like a tiny dinosaur, now I want a male (((

 

[BigAspirations]

I’m the last one to discourage anyone from getting more ducks. Ducks are awesome. BUT drakes are not always awesome - to your ladies or to you. Lots of people say you need bare minimum 3 girls per drake, better with 4. So getting one drake might mean also getting an extra duck, maybe 2, which is obviously super fun but also a whole lot more house and room to roam and poo on your deck…I’m sure you are clever enough to know that without me saying it.
One of my drakes is super nasty to my husband so I had to set up “drake jail” and send him to prison when he commits a crime (either assault or menace) so they take a fair amount of work just to keep the peace. And drakes around while you have ducklings is a whole extra load of work I’m glad to avoid for a while longer.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Exactly. My JJ is kind of mean to me sometimes, but mostly because he sees me as one of the flock. Its so nice right now that hormones are down and he's not pinching me on the back of the leg. My other drakes weren't raised the same way so they always run from me which makes handling them much harder. It's like win or lose with muscovy drakes. JJ has mellowed a little, but I'm waiting for the winter boy to be the all year boy. He's nice enough to his girls and runs from any other person.

 

[ruthhope]

The video is up, it should have all information you're looking for.
*PLEASE CHANGE THE VIDEO QUALITY TO THE HIGHEST IN THE SETTINGS ON YOUTUBE*

@casportpony @ruthhope @Texasclucker @BigAspirations @black_cat @Crazy Maizie

Massive thanks to your support to all you guys invested in this

They are both female!

 

[ruthhope]

Wonderful videos. The peeping sound is female. I don't hear any huffing.

They are lovely looking and friendly!! And both female! My female muscovy is much more vocal than the two in the video!. Mine is chattering away nonstop telling me all about it. One in the video is just an occasional chirp! And surprisingly swan has nothing to say! Just different personalities, I think

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm impressed JJ catches treats. My Muscovy girls are awesome at catching but Opie my drake will stand there and let whatever i toss hit him in the face. He won't even try,