Domestic/Muscovy cohabitation

[Cairina moschata]

This spring I bought a "box of ducks" at an auction- turned out to have pekin, magpie, runner, cayuga, mallard ducks- 11 in all. The fox got a few and now I have 7. Later in the year I also picked up 6 muscovy ducks and they are now in the same large covered pen/run. The two groups get along fine but stay separate and even sleep apart if one group sleeps in the coop the other sleeps outside and vice versa. My question is will I need to separate them as they become sexually mature so that I don't get mules. I'm guessing from my understanding of males in general that the drakes are going to be "equal opportunity employers" so I'll probably need to separate them.

 

[taraann81]

Seems that you answered your own question

 

[Cairina moschata]

Quote:
Do you keep you muscovies separate from your rouen ducks?

 

[taraann81]

Sometimes.
During breeding season I will separate them if I want to hatch or allow them to hatch any eggs.

If I do not plan on hatching any of the eggs then there is no reason to keep them seperated.

Also I like mule ducks they can be beautiful and often make great table birds so it depends on what you want from your ducks.

 

[hikerchick]

I let my ducks do whatever they want.