Muscovies are an Acquired Taste (PICS LOTS)

[CountryMom]

My FIL free ranges his Muscovies. Always has and that is why we restocked. Just his way. However, I must say that I don't see the Drakes fighting like described. We have three I think of the total 11 ducks. They have broken up in groups and they pretty much stick to their own groups until feeding time morning and night. I see them more in the evening feeding time and they have discussions like a group of people getting together to gossip. It is quite comical really, but no actually fighting. They have two huge stock tanks (ponds really) to enjoy and a couple of barns. Some sleep on top of the barns, some on my house and some on my FIL house. I don't remember in all my years of living here of the drakes in the past fighting. I do remember one drake that we had to put down for aggression. It was people aggression though and my MIL was running scared.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Duckmonk,
It can vary greatly from one drake to another so there is no simple solution.
I have a couple drakes that will tolerate younger drakes in a large pen or free range situation and during the off season even when cooped up together at night but then some drakes that will not tolerate other drakes even during the off season under no circumstances.
I have 2 drakes that are starting to fight that were fine together all last summer and so far this winter but the day light hours are increasing and so the hormones are starting to kick in.
As for keep breeding drakes together out of view of the ducks, that may or may not work depending on your drakes personalities. You will just have to try.
I keep my drakes with their ducks year round but there can be issues with that as well. Some drakes might try to breed ducks when they are setting on eggs and break eggs. Also some drakes will eat newborn ducklings so thats another consideration. You'll figure out what works best for your in your situation.
Good luck!

 

[Hoover67]

They did not take long to become an acquired taste! It was luuuuuv at first sight.


Michele

Edited to remove question (it was finally answered in the new thread started many days ago and answered today .... yea. Sorry about the hi-jack.

 

[jmc]

Quote:
Would be better to start another thread for this...........