Muscovy keepers share your pics!

[RavenWood]

They don't need anything fancy just something secure for night time protection from preds, even a large dog house would work, but it will have to have plenty of ventilation, they can get respiratory problems from breathing the damp air in an enclosed coop. they need 4sq' each I believe, but make it as large as you can because when the girls begin to lay they like their privacy.

Thank you. At the moment I have a large dog house or 'duck hut' as we call it for my Rouens/Khakis which I thought they could share, but given the size of the male muscovy I think I'm going to need to set up another housing area for them, especially during the introductory period. I'll have to set up something temporary, but it won't be insulated at this point. I have lots of scrap lumber so I should be able to throw a lean to style together with ventilation at the top.

I also read that they need different feed than chickens? We can't get feed here specifically for ducks so we just feed them chicken layer pellets. Any suggestions on this?

 

[TommyDaDelaware]

Here's my little Twitch... (named so because she almost CONSTANTLY Twitches her wings...)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you. At the moment I have a large dog house or 'duck hut' as we call it for my Rouens/Khakis which I thought they could share, but given the size of the male muscovy I think I'm going to need to set up another housing area for them, especially during the introductory period. I'll have to set up something temporary, but it won't be insulated at this point. I have lots of scrap lumber so I should be able to throw a lean to style together with ventilation at the top.

I also read that they need different feed than chickens? We can't get feed here specifically for ducks so we just feed them chicken layer pellets. Any suggestions on this?

i can't get duck specific feed here either, I use Flock raiser and Layena and mix together. Just started back using Layer and won't go 100% because i don't think it's good for the drakes, gander and roos. as long as they are out of wind and have ventilation and shaving to cuddle down into they should be fine with out an insulated house.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's my little Twitch... (named so because she almost CONSTANTLY Twitches her wings...)

Cutie!!

 

[RavenWood]

i can't get duck specific feed here either, I use Flock raiser and Layena and mix together. Just started back using Layer and won't go 100% because i don't think it's good for the drakes, gander and roos. as long as they are out of wind and have ventilation and shaving to cuddle down into they should be fine with out an insulated house.

Ok. Thanks! I was hoping to pick them up today, but the roads were bad so we stayed home. Won't be able to get them now until next weekend. I suppose that's good as it gives me more time to get something set up for them, but I have a business trip out of town from Wed - Sun so not sure how much will get done. There just aren't enough hours ...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ok. Thanks! I was hoping to pick them up today, but the roads were bad so we stayed home. Won't be able to get them now until next weekend. I suppose that's good as it gives me more time to get something set up for them, but I have a business trip out of town from Wed - Sun so not sure how much will get done. There just aren't enough hours ...

A xlarge dog crate works in a bind, if you have a garage maybe set something up in there blocking off a portion and putting down shavings. If you use a crate don't leave it outside with them in it. A pred could get into one of them. but they work great for inside a garage or coop.

 

[elsfieldchickens]

Pretty girls

x2

 

[rocasocks]

I got a pair of black and white Muscovies today and I absolutely adore them!

The drake is just to keep the duck company until a get a blue breeding group next week, then he's going to be eaten.

 

[RavenWood]

A xlarge dog crate works in a bind, if you have a garage maybe set something up in there blocking off a portion and putting down shavings. If you use a crate don't leave it outside with them in it. A pred could get into one of them. but they work great for inside a garage or coop.

I have lots of dog crates (since I have 9 dogs) so that might be an option. I have no garage though and my 2 coops are currently full. I may be able to free up space in the small barn, but it'll take me just as long to do that is it will to build something for them (and in fact the area I'd be clearing out has the wood I'd be building it with) so might just as well git 'er done!

I got a pair of black and white Muscovies today and I absolutely adore them!
The drake is just to keep the duck company until a get a blue breeding group next week, then he's going to be eaten.

Are they good for eating?

 

[rocasocks]

I've heard they are. I know a guy that used to breed and raise them for meat, he said they're great.

There's definitely more meat on the Muscovy drake than on my two Khaki x drakes combined.