Free Range Muscovies

[EckDucks]

Hello! My female Muscovy has started laying eggs. We don't have her in a coop, fenced in yard, or anything of the sort. She roams around with our male Muscovy. We do have a small hut for them (a barrel cut in half set on the ground) that they can use if they would like. The female made her nest inside the hut and currently has about 7 eggs (I can't see them all because she covers them up). I have a list of questions because I am new at having Muscovies let alone raising the babies on the way! I hope you can help!
1). I haven't seen the female sit on the nest very much. When will she start sitting? How long will the babies survive without her sitting on them?
2). When do I start counting the days until the eggs hatch?
3). Will the male hurt the eggs? Will he hurt the ducklings?
4). After they hatch, do I need to put the mother and the ducklings in a pen together? If so, how long do I keep them in there?
5). Do the ducklings need any special food or anything?
6). I have some family members that would like to have some muscovies on their farm. When can the ducklings be separated from their mother? Also, will the new ducks mate with their brothers and sisters? They want to keep muscovies on the farm without having to buy very many ducks!
7). What do I feed the adult muscovies? I know that they will eat bugs and things like that but as far as giving them human food other food, what are the "do"s and "don't"s?

If you have any tips on keeping the adult muscovies healthy, hatching the ducklings, or any other tips and tricks, they would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Amiga]

Once a duck starts sitting on eggs she becomes extremely vulnerable to attack. That would be my first priority - making that nest secure.

I will let Muscovy people answer your questions - they can be a bit different from the mallard-derived, which I have.

 

[Going Quackers]

Is their anyway to secure this area? as Amiga said a setting duck is a sitting duck, i actually Gerry rigged a door for a lady i have in the doghouse on a nest.

1. AT first they don't sit for long periods and are on/off often... it increases as the heat needs too. They know what their doing there don't worry.

2. Usually day after they start to sit, most scovie pull down and start to make a nest and then cover eggs when they leave but none of this is written in stone. Average clutch takes 35 days...

3. Possible no clear cut answer, mine don't but each drake is different, at first i fence an area off for the mamas & babes give it a few days to get their feet under them, then they free range i have a pretty good sized flock though so mama only has so many eyes, so this separate time is needed.

4. See response #3 lol ducklings are super vulnerable to predators especially at night, no young babies here are EVER left out overnight.

5. Yep, a duck starter or chick starter(add niacin) and/or a flock raiser, here info on raising ducklings, mama can eat this food too, frankly she'll benefit from the added protein.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Watch water containers are not too deep, young can drown.

6. Some take them right away, i prefer to give my ducks time to mother they have spent a large amount of time dedicated to this clutch and i feel should reap the rewards, besides a duck raised by it's mother is always a better forager and it's instincts kick in sooner, mama shows the the ways.

7. I don't feed my ducks much in way of treats, i use a grower, whole corn and then they forage for the rest.. i can give you a treat chart for ducks in general however.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

Good luck! if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

 

[EckDucks]

Thank you! This helps a lot! I do have another question though. When I secure the hut, do I completely shut her in the hut with food and water? Or do I leave an opening so she can get out if she wants? Also, do I allow the male to be in the secured area with the female?

 

[Amiga]

Especially at night I would want her secured. If she can get out something else can get in.

 

[EckDucks]

Will muscovies mate with ducks from their own clutch?

 

[girls and guineas]

Is it okay for Muscovy drakes to mate with other ducks, like pekins?? Or even smaller breed ducks?? He's so big!!!

 

[subhanalah]

Is it okay for Muscovy drakes to mate with other ducks, like pekins??  Or even smaller breed ducks??  He's so big!!!

they would produce infertile offspring but if she allows him, I don't think it's a problem. Some believe the mule ducks (as they are called) taste better than regular ducks.
The drakes will be infertile and the hens will not lay eggs.

If you had a Muscovy hen with a mallard derived drake (pekin, rouen, cayuga, ancona, etc) then the female offspring (called a hinny) will lay eggs but they will not be fertile.

 

[Amiga]

Is it okay for Muscovy drakes to mate with other ducks, like pekins?? Or even smaller breed ducks?? He's so big!!!

The Muscovy drakes are very big, and I have read on the forum that they have seriously injured smaller ducks. Pekins are closer in size - I would not want a Muscovy drake with my buffs or runners (they only weigh 3.5 to 5 pounds)

 

[Going Quackers]

I have Muscovy with Pekin and Buff.. the pekin, well one tried but she kicked up a fuss and i kicked him off their just young, but HUGE so he was confused lol The buffs are paired with some scovies, so they can mate with them, as said they produce sterile young.