Muscovy behavior question

[Tia Z.]

So I got two muscovies after having a mallard. Are muscovies naturally lazy? I realize that they are big ducks with BIG feet but my ducks act like they are winded after walking across the yard. They are about 8 weeks old now. Is it normal for them to just plop down and spend most of the day relaxing? Just want to make sure I'm not missing any signs of sickness.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

are they panting, laying on their sides, splaying out their wings? If not then I'd just say their being lazy. I havent had duckling muscovies before my pair I have I got them both as adults, but they tend to be lazy and lay about until I come out then they come a waddling or flying cause they expect their treats lol.

 

[Tia Z.]

Nope not doing any of that. The female is a bit smaller and little more active, the male just seems like he wants to lay down most of the day and occasionally waddle very slowly to eat and maybe take a dip int he pond. I guess I'm just used to my mallard who is all over the place!!

 

[cracking up]

I have three two month old muscovys and I've been thinking the same thing. They walk funny and low to the ground and they just waddle over like they have all day - I guess they do.

 

[lovesduckies]

i have a pair of scovies. the only time my drake ever really gets up is when i go outside cuz he loves his mommy. if my parents walk out, he sits down. they are lazy ducks. my female is also a bit more active than him, but not much. i just peeped out the window.. he's sleeping lol

 

[keeperofthehearth]

They are meat birds and as such will conserve their energy to grow. Scovies usually are most active first thing in the a.m. and later in the pm foraging just before bedtime. If they don't get to free range to forage you may not see as much activity because, honestly, where should they go? My draklets esp. have a tendancy to "plop" down when it gets hot outside even though they are under the trees.

 

[Tia Z.]

OK good, I wont worry then. They are allowed to free range all day but still choose to hang out on the back deck gazing at their reflection in the sliding glass door

They are very sweet, like gentle giants.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

yes my adult muscovy are both quite lazy, the hen a little less so than the male, although the male takes flight trips about 1/2 mile to the big cow pond across the road every few days. he scared me this week, was gone for about 4 days till I spotted him flying back towards the pond this AM. he usually is only got 12-24 hrs but I guess he's looking for new duckies since his partner is in the neighbor's weenie dog's doghouse sitting on a dozen eggs. lmao I have to take a picture before she gets off them, its too funny duck and dog are best friends, dog (weenie is her name) sleeps with the duck in the dog box when she's not indoors. my magpie and welsh (i dont think they are welsh anymore but I still call them that XD ) they are always active and walking around scavanging greens and bugs.

 

[LittleSquidgenHome]

That is just the behavior of Muscovies. About the only time my male isnt laying down is when food is present, a rival male gets too close to his girls, or he feels "frisky". Other than that he is a lazy toad. My girls are a bit more active, but not by much.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

My Muscovies are pretty active - But in slow motion! lol They get around the yard, and anytime I look they have gone off somewhere else, but they do so at a snail's pace, and they walk in a reptillian fashion with thier necks stretched out low and with and exaggerated waddle. Your muscovies sound normal.