Do Muscovies mate for life?

[desertdarlene]

We have an adult Muscovy drake, named Tom at the bigger lake I go to. He used to have a companion, but he or she has disappeared. A lady who watches over the geese and ducks said they were going to take Tom to another area where he could find a mate, but was told that she couldn't do it because of the mating for life issue. I told her that I didn't think they mated for life, but I didn't want to argue with her, plus I wasn't sure.

Tom has mated with mallards before, but not that often. We only have a few mule ducks around the lake. I have doubts as to whether the other Muscovy companion was a female because I've never seen Muscovy ducklings there.

Here is a picture of Tom:

He's always been nice to me. Sometimes, he gets into a mood and puffs air in and out loudly like a hiss. That's when I just leave him alone. Most of the time, he's mellow.

 

[Caprice_Acres]

No, muscovies don't 'mate for life' with just one hen. They will take multiple mates. If I'm not mistaken, animals that 'mate for life' will take a new mate if their mate dies for some reason while they are still breeding age. Heck my drake here on my farm has sired several clutches between 4 hens this year - and will have more work cut out for him next year.

However, Muscovies are an invasive species, which is why breeders and owners like me who work responsibly to keep them out of the wild are having trouble with regulations now. If he were to be caught, it would be best for him to be placed in a farm home instead of re-released.

 

[desertdarlene]

That's what I thought. I almost told her that they can get a new mate if something happens to the old one. It's just as well because of what you said about them being an invasive species.

I don't know where this guy originally came from, but he's been there for years. He's very close to the wild type and I do live close to the Mexican border, perhaps he is an accidental visitor? But, the other one that used to live there was obviously a domestic type.

I don't think they city plans to do anything about him as a lot of people love him and don't want him to go anywhere else. He's been no trouble at all at this lake, so he may have a permanent home there. He doesn't seem to be having a whole lot of luck with breeding with the other ducks, so very few mules.

I don't know where he was going to be taken, but I think it might have been a private pond or duck farm.

 

[LittleSquidgenHome]

My male will mate indiscriminatly with anything he can pin down. All of our muscovy females, our Ancona girls(if he can catch them), the geese, a particularly fetching looking log, my boot, what have you.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

After reading that last post I think my Drake must be infertile. The ladies have laid lots of eggs and every one is infertile. He has access to them all day long.

Has anyone else had a Drake with this issue? He is a big boy and kind of walks bowlegged.

 

[Kari]

mine are pigs, they will do anything that walks by.

 

[desertdarlene]

LOL, you guys are funny.

I don't see this guy getting to aggressive with mating with the other ducks, but maybe it's because of his age. I think he's the last of a small flock that used to be there and has been dying off during the last few years. With the regulations and restrictions on selling and buying, that could be why there haven't been any new ones being "dropped off" there.

 

[jrobertson]

rustyswoman,
your drake may not be sterile. just fat. most muscovy drakes get huge and i know that with large breeds like pekins and rouen, sometimes a shallow pool will improve fertility or fix the problem altogether. if they are already have a pool and are breeding in it. then it may be likely.