Muscovy Duck Questions

[Sunflower Girl]

Hi, I went fishing to this local pond in the neighborhood in front of me and found some Muscovy Ducks. I started feeding them cooked rice, cooked oatmeal, sliced grapes, and bird feed. I remember I saw over 20 chicks in the neighborhood a few months ago, and some females. Today at the pond I only saw 3 males, one potential female. I was wondering where those chicks and females went. And if it is okay for me to continue to feed these guys. I read that people have raised them in 10°F, and I live in Texas. I don't want to mess with their migration pattern if it isn't safe for them, and I don't know if I can feed them for years on end, as I'll be moving soon, but can still feed them daily. It is just after my move I'll need to move again eventually and I'm unsure of how far away from these guys I'll be. Would like some info as to where the migrate, where the chicks went and mothers went, whether or not to feed, etc

 

[Miss Lydia]

There is a certain part of Texas where Muscovy's are protected and considered migratory. You may want to research that and see if your in the area. They fly in from S America. as for where the others are if there are adjoining bodies of water where these are then they may have moved on or predation has happened. Snapping turtle take out many ducklings and gosling each year other predators ducks are at the top of the food chain. In other parts of the country Florida especially it's open season on Muscovy's because they are considered an invasive species. It could be happening in your neighborhood too. Ask around. As for feeding them many people enjoy feeding the water fowl at parks etc and as long as they are using the right feed I really don't see any problems with it. be stop at a Tractor Supply and pick up some feed for ducks. The employees can help. That way at least your feeding them a good diet. Chopped lettuce [romaine] chopped tomatoes chopped grapes. Are all enjoyed too. Living in Texas these ducks probably enjoy natural food year round. Insects, worms. etc.

 

[Sunflower Girl]

There is a certain part of Texas where Muscovy's are protected and considered migratory. You may want to research that and see if your in the area. They fly in from S America. as for where the others are if there are adjoining bodies of water where these are then they may have moved on or predation has happened. Snapping turtle take out many ducklings and gosling each year other predators ducks are at the top of the food chain. In other parts of the country Florida especially it's open season on Muscovy's because they are considered an invasive species. It could be happening in your neighborhood too. Ask around. As for feeding them many people enjoy feeding the water fowl at parks etc and as long as they are using the right feed I really don't see any problems with it. be stop at a Tractor Supply and pick up some feed for ducks. The employees can help. That way at least your feeding them a good diet. Chopped lettuce [romaine] chopped tomatoes chopped grapes. Are all enjoyed too. Living in Texas these ducks probably enjoy natural food year round. Insects, worms. etc.

Yeah I got them some food from Tractor Supply. Today I also gave them some berries, dog food (read it was good for them), green beans, peas, corn, etc. There's no other body of water in the neighborhood that I'm aware of, and the body of water that they use to reside in does not have snapping turtles or predators. Nobody hunts them but they were sitting in the road when I drove by them and were very stubborn about moving. However I didn't see any dead chicks or birds ever in the streets. Also one has cut wings and I don't think it can fly. I don't know if the females migrated and the males stayed because this one's wings are cut? Either way, it can't fly but I've seen the other ones all fly

 

[Sunflower Girl]

You can see where there is seemingly a clean cut and new growth coming from the wing

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yep the one with clipped wings was most likely a dumped Muscovy. I clip mines wings to keep them home. I will not add to the feral population as they do love to fly. They may have flown to another area. That's great you have gotten them proper feed and treats that are healthy. My Muscovy's love dog food as a treat. Very sweet of you to care about these ducks.

 

[Sunflower Girl]

Whereas this one and the other three have double the length worth of wings

 

[Sunflower Girl]

Whereas this one and the other three have double the length worth of wings

Sorry I meant the other two, including this one. Fourth one has butchered looking wings

 

[Sunflower Girl]

Yep the one with clipped wings was most likely a dumped Muscovy. I clip mines wings to keep them home. I will not add to the feral population as they do love to fly. They may have flown to another area. That's great you have gotten them proper feed and treats that are healthy. My Muscovy's love dog food as a treat. Very sweet of you to care about these ducks.

I guess that makes sense considering the one with clipped wings will touch me and runs over and around me feet, hands feeds, and let's me touch it. The other three are seemingly very sassy towards me

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks kind of beat up. do they fight? maybe just from living on their own too. Neither of these Muscovy's are wild. If you look up Muscovy's you'll see what a true wild Muscovy looks like. These ducks probably belonged to someone at one time.

 

[Sunflower Girl]

Looks kind of beat up. do they fight? maybe just from living on their own too. Neither of these Muscovy's are wild. If you look up Muscovy's you'll see what a true wild Muscovy looks like. These ducks probably belonged to someone at one time.

Yeah they fight and pull at each other's feathers and bite the necks of one another. I was handing the food out too slowly so two dominant ones were attacking the submissive ones