Muscovy Ducks

[Jonaboo 16]

How do I get my Muscovy ducks not to fly away ?

 

[Mikanik]

We just got two Muscovy hens and plan on clipping their wing. I've heard debates on whether to clip one wing or two. I'm leaning towards clipping both so there's no imbalance in their down "flight" if they are perching, but I've heard that it really doesn't matter. ???? I'm new to Muscovies and still learning. I figure I'll clip one wing each and see how beat up I get after that and let that be the determining factor. LOL

 

[Jonaboo 16]

I thought that if you clip two then then it will learn to fly with its wings like that.

 

[Tripp P]

Its possible that they can learn to fly again if you clip both wings
I've clipped my muscovies on one wing but they still kinda hover if you know what i mean

 

[jdywntr]

You clip one wing so it causes an imbalance and sustained flight is not possible. That being said, they can still fly a bit as previously stated. When I see mine starting to try to get some air (3-4 months) I clip the flight feathers on one wing, the left for me. If you clip both wings, they will not be imbalanced and could reach sustained flight. My muscovy have never perched on anything higher than a few feet high so I never worried about that. They would belly flop from 18" up

Also, if you are raising them from day olds or wait until they know where home is before allowing them to free range, they would "most likely" come in every night anyway.

 

[Jonaboo 16]

Okay thanks

 

[Mikanik]

You clip one wing so it causes an imbalance and sustained flight is not possible. That being said, they can still fly a bit as previously stated. When I see mine starting to try to get some air (3-4 months) I clip the flight feathers on one wing, the left for me. If you clip both wings, they will not be imbalanced and could reach sustained flight. My muscovy have never perched on anything higher than a few feet high so I never worried about that. They would belly flop from 18" up

Also, if you are raising them from day olds or wait until they know where home is before allowing them to free range, they would "most likely" come in every night anyway.

Very informative! Thanks! The lady I got my scovies from had some beautiful parents and BOY could the drake fly! I'd go over there and within seconds he'd come flying down from their deck....a good 10 ft high and land about 30 ft away from it! LOL I will admit that it scared the bejeebus outta me the first couple times! However, I never saw the hen fly more than 2 feet and only to kinda "hop" over a fence. I did finally get over getting scared when a huge drake would come soaring down to my feet to give me a "hiss" and an Elvis impersonation with his frill. LOL

 

[barredmuscovy]

Put a roof on your pen or clip 1 side of there wing.