Muscovy keepers share your pics!

[macgro7]

We had our first week of winter. Snow on Saturday, on Sunday afternoon everything melted. Frost every morning. Because of the weather urban foxes had less food and visit us every night. I went out to buy bread down the road and when I was passing by my garden could see from the street a fox holding my black and white muscovy female!!!!!! Thank God I came at that time. Everyone is alive and unharmed except for this duck's wing...
I honestly hate foxes.
Is my only hope getting a dog?!?!?! I've never seen a fox at day time in my garden. That was 15 minutes before sunset. Last night it was digging around my rabbit cages. I set the traps. We are waiting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We had our first week of winter. Snow on Saturday, on Sunday afternoon everything melted. Frost every morning. Because of the weather urban foxes had less food and visit us every night. I went out to buy bread down the road and when I was passing by my garden could see from the street a fox holding my black and white muscovy female!!!!!! Thank God I came at that time. Everyone is alive and unharmed except for this duck's wing...
I honestly hate foxes.
Is my only hope getting a dog?!?!?! I've never seen a fox at day time in my garden. That was 15 minutes before sunset. Last night it was digging around my rabbit cages. I set the traps. We are waiting.

A dog would help but you'll have to train it to leave your flock and rabbits alone too. We're having coyotes here along with foxes, bob cats and everything else. Glad you were there at the right time.. I hope her wing will be okay..

 

[Harborotter]

I got tired of all the predators and recently bought 2 Maremma pups. They go after and bark at everything. And they were bred to be protective over whatever animals that you own. They are known to kill wolves in their native Italian mountains. I don't regret getting them one bit.

 

[Harborotter]

The night before last they came close to getting an owl. I have been bringing my bantam ducks inside every night. I build a portable pen for them and put them in it for the night. An owl tried dive bombing them almost immediately after dark and bounced off the fencing. My dogs were on it fast. He did get away but hopefully he learned his lesson as I won't stop my dogs from killing it. The pen is next to their dog house so that is the risk it's taking.

It hit hard too. I heard it hit and the dogs freaked and went after it. The fencing is even dented in. I like how they know my birds belong but the owls do not.

 

[Harborotter]

And definitely set the trap! That fox needs to go.

I really hope your hen is going to be alright.

 

[MandyJ]

I got tired of all the predators and recently bought 2 Maremma pups. They go after and bark at everything. And they were bred to be protective over whatever animals that you own. They are known to kill wolves in their native Italian mountains. I don't regret getting them one bit.

I have 2 mutts. But when they bark my Pekins pay attention. Dogs are great as long as they don't go after the birds. Fortunately mine don't. When we first got our Australian mix as a puppy she killed a few of our birds. Fortunately we were able to get her cured of it, but it wasn't easy. Good luck they look to be a good breed as long as you have the room. I had never heard of them, googled it and wow they are impressive!

 

[Harborotter]

They have never gone after my birds. They are curious and want to play with them occasionally though as they are still puppies. They start bouncing around all happy. My female, Misty, did scare one goose away from the house but she was just curious and the goose did not know her. We rounded it back up fairly easily. If they go in the pens with us, they just look for feed. They will eat anything! Lol

But they show no aggression towards our birds and are very protective of them. We did not train them to be this way at all. When we brought them home at 8 weeks they were put around the birds immediately and after two weeks they were already trying to protect them.

I highly recommend them. And they don't eat as much dog food as you would think they would. I just keep their bowl full and they graze on it.

If you are looking for a dog to live around your critters and protect them, these are an excellent breed to consider.

I also have rabbits outside and they pay them no mind. The sniff around and walk off.

 

[MandyJ]

They have never gone after my birds. They are curious and want to play with them occasionally though as they are still puppies. They start bouncing around all happy. My female, Misty, did scare one goose away from the house but she was just curious and the goose did not know her. We rounded it back up fairly easily. If they go in the pens with us, they just look for feed. They will eat anything! Lol

But they show no aggression towards our birds and are very protective of them. We did not train them to be this way at all. When we brought them home at 8 weeks they were put around the birds immediately and after two weeks they were already trying to protect them.

I highly recommend them. And they don't eat as much dog food as you would think they would. I just keep their bowl full and they graze on it.

If you are looking for a dog to live around your critters and protect them, these are an excellent breed to consider.

I also have rabbits outside and they pay them no mind. The sniff around and walk off.

Cool! My dogs WILL chase rabbits. But I don't have any in pens, all we have around here are wild rabbits. My dogs are just dogs. I don't think that they even earn their keep! LOL But they sure are lovable!

 

[Harborotter]

These are my puppies, Angus and Misty. They get along great with my Muscovys as they are such an outgoing breed of duck. I got two so they wouldn't be all alone. If you already had a dog, you could just get one.

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

Wow I must be terrible! I give my Pekins peas (about 1 cup for 2 birds) each day as a treat.  They seem to LOVE it! It promotes them coming back to their pen after foraging at our pond all day.

You're not terrible, you're awesome....the only reason I limit snacks for mine is because we are on a limited income and fresh fruits and veggies aren't always in our budget!