Muscovies in US - REGULATION CHANGES OPEN FOR COMMENTS - 10/1 update

[Laurieks]

Bravo! They listened!!!

I don't currently have Muscovies, but have had them in the past and hope to have them again someday. And yes, I will respond to them.
I don't see a definition of how they determine 'pet' status. It could be an egg producer in 'resting phase'.

As for ID, I favor a small web tattoo. Hopefully my small size goat tattoo kit would do it.

Pinioning reminds me of Anna Pacquin in Fly Away Home, hitting the Fish & Game guy on the head with an iron skillet. How far can they fly? (Mine never flew).
If they need wings clipped to stay home, then it sounds ok to pinion. But it's like declawing a cat; they must forever be in a safe environment.

(Mom 2 em All-I like to think they'd agree the angel wing is 'naturally pinioned', and ID'd at the same time.

And future babies; ID OR pinion )

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
we really should pinion all babies, but they only need to be marked in one of the ways mentioned. If you are using them for egg production, then you are covered, No need for a permit. Mine are for exhibition.....I consider them pets, as I do all my stock. But they are for exhibition. If you eat any of their eggs, then they are for food production. You might have the friendliest birds taht produce eggs, but they are not pets...per say anyway.

 

[swheat]

I have pinioned this year hatch. It is a very simple procedure best done at 1-2 days old, which is what I did. Take sterilized sharp scissors to do the cut. I never saw any blood when I pinioned day olds. I have read that it is best to do this before they are four days old. After that the cut would have to be cauterized or stitched up.

 

[rocky41102]

I'm new to ducks and only have a few but I'm curious like the previous poster as to why does the marking and all that apply to muscovies? I thought it said Mallard type...I didn't read the entire law though, so maybe I missed something!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
21.13 currently applies to mallards; however, it will soon apply to both mallards and muscovies.

 

[Duck_feeder]

I updated the first post with the info that Mac_ posted a couple pages back.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Was wondering where you were and when you would get this posted. Knew you would. Thanks. Glad so many have been keeping an eye on this. They got this by us in March, but not again .

 

[PamelaJaye]

Quote:
I would go out after dark, catch the old drake and place a permenant metal band on him. That should work. It does not appear that anyoes flock is in danger, just trouble spots.

But since he is then on a *public* lake with a band on him, won't it look as if he "escaped?"

and my other question - on a duck - what is a metatarsal? I thought it was a toe... (that would be bad with webbies)

 

[desertdarlene]

I was just thinking of that, too. I think it would have a number on it and I would probably get a call to come get him (because I would be registering the band) or I would get a fine. But, I have no place to keep him right now, so that would be a problem if I had to remove him.

So far, when I re-read the proposed changes, it looks like they haven't come up with a solution to feral Muscovies. And, it looks like it would be problem populations that would be dealt with, first. That one drake is not a problem to anyone--ever.

 

[thkosan]

The state of Florida issues Mallard Control Permits to provide relief for nuisance situations caused by rhe release of pet Mallards (who do not migrate as wild Mallards do) and to help reduce hybridization, or cross-breeding, between these feral mallards and Florida's wild, native mottled duck -- the same issues the FWS purports to be addressing with CFR 21.54. In the case of the Mallard it is largely local problems being addressed with local solutions. Note that there is no requirement of banding by either the state or the FWS for Mallards. I believe that this is how local Muscovy duck problems should be handled -- by counties and states, not by the US FWS with a national control order, not by requiring of banding/marking of all Muscovies in the US, and not by outlawing of Muscovy pet ownership. Florida does not outlaw Mallard ownership or require banding, but they do require a permit. And they are getting the problem under control.

Feel free to include these facts in your comment to the FWS should you wish to. I did.