Mule ducks only live a year???

[watchdogps]

I picked up some muscovy/runner cross ducks for my husband's bday and now I heard they will only live a year. Is that true? I'm kinda bummed now that his pets might die so fast.

 

[newbyduckmom]

There's a previous discussion on mules. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=528603&p=1

 

[duckyfromoz]

I am wondering if someone has misinterpreted something they have heard about mules. If someone was to buy and incubate some mixed breed eggs- they would only have them as babies- and none the following year due to the sterility the misconception could be that instead of only having that one first generation of cross bred ducks- that they will only live for 1 year. Kind of like chinese whispers.....

 

[Oregon Blues]

They only live for one year if you butcher them before the year is out.

They are bred and raised to be meat. If you keep them as pets, they should live closer to a decade. There is no reason for them to die young.

Maybe the person you spoke to has mistaken them for Cornish Cross chickens, which will not live very long.

 

[watchdogps]

I'm so glad to hear that!