Guinea fowl .VS. Muscovy ducks

[jayke563]

I agree with both of u I think of some of my chickens as pets and some others I don't

 

[buggymuffin]

We purposely didn't attach ourselves to our ducks for this very reason. They were purchased with the intent of them being livestock.

 

[tmorgan46]

So, back to the original question - why not both? And here's why I say that. We bought ours with very specific plans / ideas in mind. Chickens for eggs and initially for their foraging skills. Ducks were originally going to be guinnea fowl for the bug hunting ability but found out ducks are as good if not better, and finally geese as the "keepers of the flock" and our alarm system. And we are extremely happy with the results.
The chickens just started laying, the ducks are bugs / spiders / snakes / frogs / snails / lizzard hunting fools!!! If it moves, a duck is on it. The wife and I both froze in amazement watching a young Muscovy catch and eat whole a small garden snake. We actually felt sorry for the poor little thing, but it was a afternoon snack and Meanie (the ducks name from that point on) never missed a beat. In previous years we pulled ticks off of us and the dogs on a weekly basis. This past summer that number was less than by more than half, easily more. The geese are doing their part, they're great weeders and boy does the gander make a lot of noise. I know instantly when someone is pulling up in our driveway. We're still thinking of adding a guinnea fowl or two next spring. I like the idea of another bug catcher and a vocal alarm.
I say go with both and enjoy the company. Now, if you have neighbors closer than a 1/4 mile... then all bets are off. Our two cents on the topic.

Troy & Tina

 

[MakeshiftAcre]

I've never had Muscovies, but my 3 khaki campbells are about 4 times as much work as my 5 guineas. OTOH the ducks are nice to each other, to me and to the guineas, while the guineas have a vicious pecking order and not infrequently injure the weakest or keep her out of the coop or away from food.

 

[jayke563]

thank u

 

[macgro7]

I've never had Muscovies, but my 3 khaki campbells are about 4 times as much work as my 5 guineas.  OTOH the ducks are nice to each other, to me and to the guineas, while the guineas have a vicious pecking order and not infrequently injure the weakest or keep her out of the coop or away from food.

Muscovies are different in behaviour than other ducks - males will fight. My dominant drake kept the other one out of the water until he's both wings were so muddy he couldn't lift them. I had to put him in the brook so he could swim and wash himself.
Generally muscovies are slightly less messy than Campbells.

 

[Going Quackers]

Muscovies are different in behaviour than other ducks - males will fight. My dominant drake kept the other one out of the water until he's both wings were so muddy he couldn't lift them. I had to put him in the brook so he could swim and wash himself.
Generally muscovies are slightly less messy than Campbells.

Drakes fight in any breed of ducks, you should see some call drakes go at it.

Frankly, the females 'scovies are the ones with the brass.. wowee they are aggressive ladies.

All ducks are mud lovers and water lovers.. scovies are more puddle ducks but i have quite a few who adore water nonetheless.. they are a step down from the mallard derived, generally but i find no matter the breed they are all messy, ducks = mess lol.

 

[macgro7]

Drakes fight in any breed of ducks, you should see some call drakes go at it. Frankly, the females 'scovies are the ones with the brass.. wowee they are aggressive ladies.

All ducks are mud lovers and water lovers.. scovies are more puddle ducks but i have quite a few who adore water nonetheless.. they are a step down from the mallard derived, generally but i find no matter the breed they are all messy, ducks = mess lol.

I've never really noticed mallard Drakes fighting, muscovies do (talking about my own ducks).
I have geese, muscovies and variety of "normal" ducks.
Geese are the least muddy and spend the least time in the water, muscovies are much more into swimming, but mallard ducks are crazy. The look the cleanest because they spend the most time in water BUT they also make the most mud and mess around them.
I'm really tired of them...
I really wish I would be in Australia or Spain... I hate UK! All muddy and wet even without ducks

 

[revans2003]

I've never really noticed mallard Drakes fighting, muscovies do (talking about my own ducks).
I have geese, muscovies and variety of "normal" ducks.
Geese are the least muddy and spend the least time in the water, muscovies are much more into swimming, but mallard ducks are crazy. The look the cleanest because they spend the most time in water BUT they also make the most mud and mess around them.

Mallards Rule!!

 

[macgro7]

Mallards Rule!!

For eggs - definitely mallards. For meat some mallard breeds are nice but our family prefers muscovies.
But since this thread is about guinea fowl - I only had them couple of times but absolutely loved the taste! Much better than chickens.
I UK we can find broiler chicks anywhere so we raise muscovies and rabbits.