Coopscraft
Songster
I have 60 chickens and three Muscovy Ducks including the drake all together in one paddock. They all drink from the same water. I do not have a pond. I set the water up so the ducks can get their whole head in and wash their face but can’t swim in it. Ducks need to wash their bill and eyes. In my area it rains fifty inches per year within a 6 month season and is dry for six months. During the dry season I will give them a place to bathe once a week.
One advantage to keeping chickens and ducks together is that the chickens keep organic materials such as grass clippings rotating for decomposition. This helps keep the duck poo from staying on the surface and becoming a putrid disaster.
Muscovy ducks are native to my continent and are very quiet. So they are hardy and don’t bother the neighbors the way other species might. Mallard based breeds like Khaki Campbells are loud. The downside is Muscovy ducks don’t lay as many eggs. If you are into meat birds though, they are as heavy as a goose.
In spite of being such a big bird, Muscovy ducks are a clear case of a bird of flight. Either give them a service ceiling via a net of some sort, clip feathers, or expect to see them flying by on their way to terrorize the next town.
One advantage to keeping chickens and ducks together is that the chickens keep organic materials such as grass clippings rotating for decomposition. This helps keep the duck poo from staying on the surface and becoming a putrid disaster.
Muscovy ducks are native to my continent and are very quiet. So they are hardy and don’t bother the neighbors the way other species might. Mallard based breeds like Khaki Campbells are loud. The downside is Muscovy ducks don’t lay as many eggs. If you are into meat birds though, they are as heavy as a goose.
In spite of being such a big bird, Muscovy ducks are a clear case of a bird of flight. Either give them a service ceiling via a net of some sort, clip feathers, or expect to see them flying by on their way to terrorize the next town.
