Ducks vs. Ducklings, and other random duck questions

[Batty about Banties]

Is it better to get ducklings vs. ducks? Specifically Muscovy. Also how do duck eggs taste? I heard muscovy hens only lay for a couple months. Any other information will be more appreciated

 

[FenDruadin]

It depends entirely on your goals in getting the ducks. If you want friendly ducks who come when you call, you're best off purchasing them as ducklings and raising them in the house at first. If you just want yard ducks and want to get eggs this season, you're better off getting ducks and skipping the challenges of raising ducklings.

What do you want to do with the ducks? That will help folks better answer your questions.

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
I've bought both in the past. Ducklings are very cute, but need more care and attention than older ducks. The problem with older ducks is that you don't really know how they'll behave around humans. With ducklings you can form a bond with them and get them reasonably tame, they'll never really be a pet to you but you can get them so they don't mind being handled too much.

Muscovy eggs are delicious. The whites are firmer than chicken eggs, and the yolks are HUGE. I like them soft boiled, or fried so that the yolk is still nice and runny. I used to have lots of customers for chicken eggs, but since I added two muscovy eggs to the carton to try they only buy duck eggs now.

The ducks lay for about 8-9 months of the year, mine do anyway. Last year I got my last eggs on November the 4th and they started laying again at the beginning of March.

Unlike other ducks Muscovy ducks don't need deep water to breed as they can breed on land or in water. If you don't have a pond or stream you can give them a paddling pool, not an inflatable one and they'll be happy enough. Or a large tub of water so they can get their heads inside. They will need to clear their nostrils.

One of the things you'll have to watch is that their swimming water and also their drinking water stays as clean as possible. As stagnant water can pass on dysentery to the eggs

Muscovies are excellent fliers, so either a covered run or clip a wing to stop them flying off around the neighborhood.
regularly and are really great mothers, but the ducklings and mum will have to be separated from the other ducks, as sometimes they're accidentally stepped upon and crushed.

They'll need somewhere to sleep at night with good ventilation and make sure it's easy to clean, ducks are very messy. They also like to roost, so a couple of tree branches will be appreciated. Mine also lay in nest boxes, the boxes are about 1.5 feet cubed, they have six sides and an opening at the front.

The meat from Muscovies is considered a delicacy around the world, I'm not sure if this is something you'll be thinking about.

I can't think of anything else to add. I'm sure someone else will think of something that I've missed.

 

[Batty about Banties]

I would love ducklings but the BF just informed me that he would like the backroom back.....at least for a little while.

I actually just want to get a buddy for my lone drake. Eggs are just a plus. I do NOT however want to eat the ducks.....