Muscovy keepers share your pics!

[refamat]

I'd like them to roost inside a coop or is that out of the question? I'm in NY so we've got snow and cold. I was thinking on keeping no more than 6. How space do I need for them to run.

I'd prefer a fenced in area. Perhaps 50X100 not including the wet/water area. That area would be about 10 X 20. Also fenced in.

How often do you clip wings? What about predators? Nest boxes?

I clip once a year after they grow in the new feathers...a good fence does wonders against preds. I have no nest boxes, just shelters. One is a plastic dog house which the roof is the lid. Just leave some hay inside and they do the rest. They will eventually strip the vegetation and you'll have bare ground, so making for rotating pens (use one for a good while until they have it all but destroyed and move them to the other and resow seeds. Shelter with a large roost like a 2x4 or 2x6 so they can stabilize on it would be good 1-2 feet off the ground and maybe a little chicken walk up to it.

 

[RoyalT]

I don't clip any wings, they all free range and if they need to get away from predators, I want them to be able to fly. Mine don't leave the property, if they ever do, that will be the day I clip their wings.

I have large, horned yak and an LGD. They keep everything but the Baldies at bay. Only lose a few chicks/year to the eagles, it goes in my 'acceptable loss' column for free ranging.

I would love ideas on getting my scovy ladies to lay in a consistent place! Other than locking them up, of course...

 

[rancher hicks]

Anyone got pics of their range/farm? What about the winter time. Do they just stay outdoors? I have chickens and they are out now on the cold and snowy ground if they choose.

 

[refamat]

well, In Washington, they do not want muscovey's laying in uncontrolled environments being a prolific species they might do what has happened in Miami where they are everywhere there is water.

 

[refamat]

mine are out if they want to be year round but controlled. We have a salmon creek on the property and cannot afford to have any county, state, or federal people, nosing about the creek and maybe putting on restrictions on the animals.

 

[rancher hicks]

We have a problem here with Canadian Geese and the PETA people don't want them dealt with. They make a mess everywhere.

I personally can't see the over abundance and wouldn't mind folks snatching that free food that poops everywhere they go.

You don't want to step in it when walking into church in your Sunday best.

Our property borders the Butternut Creek but it's far away from the house through the woods. Not an area I'd be going to on a daily basis.

It looks as though I'll have to think long and hard on getting Muscovy's. There won't be much point if I have to chase them down or hunt for eggs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Momma and her Hatch

Oh My goodness.

 

[Frank Phinster]

Momma and her Hatch

They look cute! What does the father look like?

Looks like there is a difference in shape at tip of bill can you see it.

What could that mean? Is that just some kind of variation or might that be a hint that different species were involved? I also just saw that the duckling in the second picture already has a slim rim of bare skin that might later develop into the red skin and caruncle of the adult muscovy whie the duckling in the first picture lacks this feature and resembles more of a mallard derived.
I guess I will know for sure in a few weeks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They look cute! What does the father look like?


What could that mean? Is that just some kind of variation or might that be a hint that different species were involved? I also just saw that the duckling in the second picture already has a slim rim of bare skin that might later develop into the red skin and caruncle of the adult muscovy whie the duckling in the first picture lacks this feature and resembles more of a mallard derived.
I guess I will know for sure in a few weeks.

The suspense mounts...

I'll be here in a couple weeks for update and pics.

 

[texasjenn]

Some of our ducklings that hatched last summer


and elvis & marilyn who are 2 of the parents to the new ones