Muscovy ducks?

[aaroncoolio]

Hey, I was wondering your guys experiences with Muscovies. How long do they usually lay? How many eggs a year factoring in the wanting to brood so much (I read 180 but if doesn't seem right since I read they're always brooding) temperament? And are they actually really good for fly control? Tanks.

 

[Amiga]

Hi, I'll tap @Going Quackers and @Miss Lydia to see if they can get the ball rolling. There is also a Muscovy thread, where you could check in.

 

[quackingdom]

Yes, 180 eggs a year isn't quite right for Muscovies!
How much they really lay depends a lot on where you live. It can range from 60-120 eggs a year.

I'm not sure exactly how long they lay, but they will probably stop laying or at least slow down around five or six years old. That's just what I've read for various breeds of chickens and ducks.

They do love catching flies, and some people say they are excellent for fly control. Mine just snap at flies every once in a while and sometimes catch one. They're better for slug control, I think.

As far as temperament, they can vary a lot, but most people say they are very sweet-tempered and gentle.

For more, you can visit my website. It's relatively new, so I don't have much on it yet, but I do have a page on Muscovies: http://www.raising-ducks.com/getting-started/muscovy/.
It has more detail on their egg-laying capabilities and temperament.

You could also check this page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/muscovy.

--Hannah