got a muscovy duckling! a few questions

[bemba]

That really sucks!!! Glad we don't have that law

 

[sydney13]

Quote:
i was aware of the law before i got the muscovy but im not so worried. around here people don't have a clue about the law or what a muscovy is. the place that i got it from was a community farm run by the town and even they were advertising on posters of their muscovy ducks they were giving away. i have know idea if its a girl but i am hoping. if its a drake i plan on getting it a female to mate instead of my chickens. the people i got it from told me if it does turn out to be a drake i can give i back and get a hen.

 

[Kelebek]

I absolutely love my muscovey ducks. I never thought that I would ever like ducks - but these animals are amazing!!!


I am in the same boat - no neighbors no one to tattle tell - LOL!

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

sydney, glad to hear that they will trade if its a drake. I have always had more ducks than drakes, so no problem with that. But I have heard of people having problems with drakes and their chickens if they don't have the ducks to keep them happy. Clip the wings so they don't fly off somewhere, that is what has caused this law to go into effect, ferral Muscovies. Keep your birds on your property at all times.

To answer some of the other questions here, this is a Federal Law not various state laws. The law is in effect now, however it is not being inforced at this time. The law is supposed to have a revision sometime this year. The Fed Migratory Bird and Waterfowl was not aware that so many people raised Muscovies for meat birds and the changes will address that issue and maybe more. Right now all Muscovies need to be identified and will need to be reported along with other migratory birds that are kept . This law went into effect April 1st, 2010 nationally. The law does state how it will be enforced by each state.

You don't have to read the whole thread, just go to the Fed Law and read it - get that link from the Muscovy Law thread.

 

[desertdarlene]

I was fairly unaware that this law was on the books. I do remember reading somewhere that you can only have Muscovies if you are using them for meat and eggs. Also, there were restrictions on their sale and acquisition, too.

But, seriously, how are they going to check to make sure you're not keeping it for eggs unless you just have a single drake? You could have a hen and a drake and claim you're raising them for eggs or raising the ducklings for meat. I'm all for following the law, but I really can't see how they would notice you for having one Muscovy that stays in your yard and is quiet. I think they have bigger fish to fry.

 

[chickincoop]

The law is on hold. You can visit the website for the Federal Fish and Wildlife department for details. They haven't decided exactly what they want to do, yet. My sister had an older, lone goose who had been very lonely. She planned to raise Muscovies to eat, and the goose was thrilled to death when the teenage ducks arrived. He showed them all of the best places to eat around the pond and the farm, and coaxed them out to sleep on the pond for safety, and watched over them like a proud papa. The oldest laying hen is his best mate, now. No more lonely goose!

 

[sydney13]

Quote:
if only my goose was that nice to the ducks

at first when i brought the duck home all the goose wanted to do was to kill it. its been a few days and she has gotten better with the duck, enough for them to free range in the same area when im watching. i think in a few weeks when the duck is bigger they will be friends or at least tolerate each other