I want to add Muscovies to the farm, couple questions

[Ultra]

So I want to raise a large flock of Muscovy Ducks (100+ birds), but I would like a variant that doesn't fly since feather clipping would be just too much work. Is there such a thing or will I just have to deal with these ducks flying all over the place?

Second question, I have heard that housing them is different from other ducks. Can anyone shed some light on the type of housing I should provide for them and if I need to lock them up at night like my other ducks? Only predators we have around here are raccoons. Thanks.

 

[hmcrainey]

All Muscovies can fly. Since they are so heavy, they don't fly alot. They ussually walk.
Mine are free range.
This is their typical day.
They are at the bowl for breakfast around 8 am. Then they walk through my neighbor's yards looking for bugs. Most of the day they sit under my trees in the shade. In the afternoon they go for a swim & forage some more.
They are back at their bowl at 5:30 for dinner.
They fly somewhere to roost every night & are back in the morning for breakfast.
This routine only changes if I am home working in the garden. Then they follow me around to see if I will toss them a worm or bug.

As for locking them up, I don't lock up the adults. When I have ducklings, I keep them locked up day & night until they are 3-4 weeks old.
I witnessed crows killing some of my ducklings last year. Its a horrible site!

If I can get a mother to lay inside the coop area, I lock her in at night. I have had raccoons & snakes go after eggs alot!

All in all, I love Muscovies. Just remember that they reproduce quickly & have large clutches.