Muscovies: I've been told that they won't...

[Illinois_ Kelly]

I've been told that Muscovies won't mate with other types of ducks and that they like to keep to themselves. Is this true? I've had Muscovy ducks before and want to get some again. I'd just like to find out this out before I do. Any help would be appreciated.

Kelly

 

[greyhorsewoman]

I've not very familiar with Muscovies (never personally had any), but they will mate with other ducks. However, any resulting ducklings are sterile and cannot reproduce.

 

[Lauryn Dee]

Muscovy's can be crossbred with other ducks to create Mule Ducks for slaughter.

Here's a quote from another website:

"The Muscovy Duck can be crossed with mallards in captivity to produce hybrids, known as moulard duck ("mule duck") because they are sterile. Muscovy drakes are commercially crossed with mallard-derived hens either naturally or by artificial insemination. The 40-60% of eggs that are fertile result in birds raised only for their meat or for production of foie gras: they grow fast like mallard-derived breeds but to a large size like Muscovy Ducks. Conversely, though crossing Mallard drakes with Muscovy hens is possible, the offspring are neither desirable for meat nor for egg production."

 

[MDC]

It's true that they can and some will readily breed with mallard deriv birds, if given a choice they will stick with Muscovy almost without fail unless they've been raised with MDs.

Mallard deriv drakes will force breed a Muscovy duck irregardless of her opinion on the matter.

 

[Mosti]

Since ure talking ducks, what would be the best tasting? I would be interested to grow a few for our own consumption.

 

[Illinois_ Kelly]

Thank you all for the wealth of information! I wanted to get Muscovies to add to the White Crested that I already have coming. I just really want some Muscovy again! I loved my babies. They're just such sweet birds. I've had the two breeds free range before and never saw them co-mingle. I was HOPING that maybe the information I received was accurate, which was Muscovies just preferred to be with their own. I'd really like to continue free-ranging my ducks, only pinning them up when the pond freezes, and not be concerned with them mating each other but I don't think they're going to come ask for my permission beforehand. LOL

Hmm... Do you think if I had a talk with all of them, and told them that their little bird part would fall off if they swam within 10 feet of the White Crested, that they'd listen?

Thanks again!
Kelly

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
IF you have a number of Muscovy Hens to keep your Muscovy Drakes busy they MAY stick to their own kind but I wouldn't bet on it! I have never run across anything as randy as a muscovy drake! I used say there was nothing in feathers that was safe from their attentions but that was before I watched a drake try to rape a wild rabbit. The hens on the other hand tend to stay away from other drakes unless they "fall in love". The fact that they can fly and fight like gamecocks with their sharp nails pretty much make them rape proof from other domestic ducks. Sometimes they will fall victum to sharp dressing smooth talking drakes that will seduce them. The short answer is that you were told wrong!

 

[hikerchick]

My Muscovy drake has 4 females to occupy himself but still fancies a Pekin or a Mallard now and again.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Quote:
I guess all ducks taste good, but people enjoy eating the drakes the most. You should start a new thread with this question to get opinions of more experienced duck eaters.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Muscovy is a great meat duck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve in NC