BeanieandtheRoo
In the Brooder
- May 10, 2023
- 2
- 2
- 11
I have a flock of 14 muscovies that are 13 weeks old. We kept them in a run starting around 3 weeks. In the last 3 weeks or so, we've been letting them free range during the day and putting them up at night. Only about half of them leave the run at all, and the group that does stays close (within about 30 feet of the run) although they are getting a little more brave with time. We will continue to put them up at night for safety, so my question is really just about daytime activities.
I'm torn on whether to clip their wings or not. I love free ranging them and want them to be able to flee from predators (we do have a farm dog that does a good job keeping critters away) but obviously don't want them to fly away.
I guess my question is, is their personality as a flock ever fixed? If they stay close to home now, can I assume that they will continue to? Am I overthinking the predator risk since they get put up at nighttime anyway and most things don't hunt in the middle of the day?
If anyone has experience weighing these options, I'd appreciate it! Of course maybe it just comes down to personal preference or comfort with one risk over the other. Happy to hear that, too.
I'm torn on whether to clip their wings or not. I love free ranging them and want them to be able to flee from predators (we do have a farm dog that does a good job keeping critters away) but obviously don't want them to fly away.
I guess my question is, is their personality as a flock ever fixed? If they stay close to home now, can I assume that they will continue to? Am I overthinking the predator risk since they get put up at nighttime anyway and most things don't hunt in the middle of the day?
If anyone has experience weighing these options, I'd appreciate it! Of course maybe it just comes down to personal preference or comfort with one risk over the other. Happy to hear that, too.