Muscovy Duck

[Maddiesmom1993]

Thanks to everyone who has posted. I set up a little ramp to the baby pool, but she hasn't gone in it yet. She is just the cutest little duck! I saw her wag her tail yesterday! I am very attached to her already. I wish I could take her home, but I live in the middle of suburbia with a small yard. I envy all of you that can have the property to have your animals. Maybe someday for me! I think I have found a farmer that will take her. I have to check them out further before I make a decision. I am going to get some duck feed this weekend so that I can start feeding her and then may be able to catch her. Any ideas on how to catch her and what to transport her in? I have a large cat carrier that she would probably fit into but I don't want to traumatize her. My heart really doesn't want to let her go, but I know it will be the best place for her long-term.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks to everyone who has posted. I set up a little ramp to the baby pool, but she hasn't gone in it yet. She is just the cutest little duck! I saw her wag her tail yesterday! I am very attached to her already. I wish I could take her home, but I live in the middle of suburbia with a small yard. I envy all of you that can have the property to have your animals. Maybe someday for me! I think I have found a farmer that will take her. I have to check them out further before I make a decision. I am going to get some duck feed this weekend so that I can start feeding her and then may be able to catch her. Any ideas on how to catch her and what to transport her in? I have a large cat carrier that she would probably fit into but I don't want to traumatize her. My heart really doesn't want to let her go, but I know it will be the best place for her long-term.

She can fly so you need to take that into consideration for when you go to catch her, you'll most likely only have one chance. when I need to pick mine up I will walk them into a corner or into their house. closing all gates so they can't escape. She may have been someones pet and for the love of flying took off and couldn't find her way back, one reason i clip one wing on mine liviing in the woods and above a river I would be devastated if I lost one of mine. I use dog and cat carriers to transport so that would be perfect. Another thing is those claws can scratch so be sure to wear long sleeves, I don't think she would intentionally hurt you but when scared she may. I wish you could have her too, they are quackless so noise wouldn't be a problem but you'd have to keep her clipped to make sure she didn't end up in a neighbors yard that had dogs. I hope this farmer turns out to be the ideal set up for her and hopefully he either has ducks or would be willing to get more, being flock animals they really do better if there are more than 1. If you can get someone to help when you decide to catch her may help, walking slowly behind her with your arms open as in herding maybe into your class room or into something where she wouldn't have a chance to fly up and away. Please keep us updated and hopefully soon she'll be safe and in a new home.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

When I pick mine up, I reach down and hold the wings down and tuck them under my arm. The 1st time i picked up my big male, I was watching his nails and instead he smacked me right upside the head with his wing.

Me and my husband were laughing so hard, was not expecting that. He is a good duck though, he just did that out of reaction.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I pick mine up, I reach down and hold the wings down and tuck them under my arm. The 1st time i picked up my big male, I was watching his nails and instead he smacked me right upside the head with his wing.

Me and my husband were laughing so hard, was not expecting that. He is a good duck though, he just did that out of reaction.

I've had that happen many times, some times they still manage to get one wing free, worse is having one of your geese do it to you.

 

[lbrykowski2011]

I've had that happen many times, some times they still manage to get one wing free, worse is having one of your geese do it to you.

Ha, don't want to feel that one. lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ha, don't want to feel that one. lol

My goose got me so good once she bent my glasses, boy was that a hoot when I had to explain that to the tech, when she asked what happened to them. She said that was a first for her.

 

[Maddiesmom1993]

Hello everyone,
Thanks again for all the great advice. Well I am quite smitten with this Muscovy duck. She comes running whenever I get to school and open the gate. I did get some duck food for her and she is very happy with that! She makes a funny sniffing sound when I feed her. She also has a feast at my school since it has been raining. She has been eating worms all day long! She is also venturing into the baby pool to bathe and preen her feathers. It is so cute!!! I have found a reputable farmer to take her that has a pond with other ducks, and it is fenced off from predators. The farmer has ducks but no Muscovy ducks. I want to keep her until spring break which is for another 5 weeks. I have another couple of questions: someone on a local website mentioned that her son got a "dermal staph infection" from a flock of ducks at her lake. Has anyone heard of this? This next question might sound a little silly, but should I worry about her in the rain? There are plenty of areas in the school where she can get out of the rain if she wants to: overhangs, large bushes, etc. Should I try to make her a little nesting box? And if so, what could I use and what should I put in it? I am trying to be as unobtrusive as possible about the duck, because I don't want the principal calling animal control. Thanks so much for all of your advice!!