Muscovies- new to ducks and an age gap/DRAKE question

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Rysktal

Rysktal

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Hello!

I am brand new to ducks, yesterday we picked up 20 Muscovy ducks of varying ages. Most of them are under 8 weeks and just one is around 12-14weeks, I think! I didn't realize there would be such a huge age gap. They are all in the same pen with lots of space and so far everyone is happy.

There is only one really big one so I can't compare him to anyone his own age...I am inexperienced but I think it is a boy. No carunkles are coming in yet, he just seems so thick and his tail feathers are very wide.

Will it be a problem in the future if he is a drake and so much older than the rest? So far he seems uninterested in the other ducks, though I have seen him gently nip/maybe groom some of the younger ones.

I am open to eating him sooner than later if you think it will be a problem in the future. These are farm ducks, not pets.

Thanks!

I am trying to attach a few pictures, hopefully I can figure it out :)

20180730_140127.jpg

20180730_140122.jpg

PS. If my guess on his age is wrong, let me know. I was told he was "half grown".
 
At this point as long as he's getting along with everyone, I don't see a problem. But I do recommend keeping a close eye on him and see if his behavior changes.

He's a beautiful boy, goodluck :thumbsup
 
Rysktal said:
Hello!

I am brand new to ducks, yesterday we picked up 20 Muscovy ducks of varying ages. Most of them are under 8 weeks and just one is around 12-14weeks, I think! I didn't realize there would be such a huge age gap. They are all in the same pen with lots of space and so far everyone is happy.

There is only one really big one so I can't compare him to anyone his own age...I am inexperienced but I think it is a boy. No carunkles are coming in yet, he just seems so thick and his tail feathers are very wide.

Will it be a problem in the future if he is a drake and so much older than the rest? So far he seems uninterested in the other ducks, though I have seen him gently nip/maybe groom some of the younger ones.

I am open to eating him sooner than later if you think it will be a problem in the future. These are farm ducks, not pets.

Thanks!

I am trying to attach a few pictures, hopefully I can figure it out :)

View attachment 1486868

View attachment 1486883

PS. If my guess on his age is wrong, let me know. I was told he was "half grown".
Click to expand...
He looks like a drake with those thick legs and body type. It sounds like they were together when you got them? So, it might not be a problem. My drake was a feather puller at about that age. Lol. So, as long as the others have enough room to get away from him it should be fine.
Since the littles are much younger, you most likely have more drakes. So, that is when the problems will arise - when they get old enough for that to get sorted out.
He will become sexually mature sooner than they will. But, mine were at 18 weeks when my drake started in on the females. It will be awhile. Your big one is probably around 6 to 7 weeks - at least that is what mine looked like around that age. Half grown is probably just them saying he still has a ways to go in growth. ;)
The one beside it is about 3 weeks maybe 2.
 

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