Muscovy keepers share your pics!

[Miss Lydia]

Yeah unfortunately right now she is. She was the only egg to hatch of three, and I didn't mean to just have the one. When I autopsied the eggs one had half it's top bill missing so I guess it's good it didn't hatch… but anyways should I get him one more hen? I'd have to hand raise her though…. all of my birds I can pick up whenever I need them including my chickens...

I'd at least get 1 more girl, but 2 more would be better, and fine hand raise if thats what you want to do but remember this is for your girls so they won't be hurt when breeding because that will be his whole life from spring till fall once it starts.

 

[GulfStar]

Gotta love them ducks.

 

[HetaChick]

I have thats why I cautioned you, they are wonderful animals but when the hormones kick in they get crazy, I was so worried we were going to have to put my drake down because everytime i would walk outdside he would attack me just like the drakes do the ducks, if i turned my back he was flying onto my back, it was a nightmare, lasted till we got him the new ducks. he was about 5 months old when it started. Now he is awesome to have around but believe me it was me having to be very dominant with him, when he would come for me biting my feet or legs I would either pin him down or pick him up and put him on his back. He will still get bitie but it doesn't last long, I usually just push him with my foot and he waddles on off. But they are confused and need direction. When you say he is doing this to Ling it's the Muscovy drake mating behavior they are rough and she can get hurt, and over mated too so it would be best to get him a few more ducks to lavish his attention on. I still have a great relationship with my Drake buddy but he now respects me as his keeper not a mate. Mine also was left to die by his mama that is how he ended up being raised by me and my dh for 3 months.

Okay I understand. I certainly will try to get him another. I've dealt with dominance issues before but in a hen who decided I could be bossed around. Whenever she gets snippy I pin her down and it seems to work. I'm keeping a weary eye on scooter, and I wouldn't let him actually hurt Ling. Hm, I wonder if anyone local has a duck that is tame.. hmm. I would love to raise a duckling but that would have to wait until between my semesters as I don't like leaving ducklings by themselves and they usually bond with me.

The reason I want her to be friendly and tame is because I have a lot of hands on with them and their cages. A frightened female would be bad for her health as well I don't want to stress them out that way either if that makes sense,

 

[BHep]

I am sure this has be addressed a million times....and I admit to being too lazy to look it up.

Is there an approx. age the Muscovy start laying ? and are they seasonal layers?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sure this has be addressed a million times....and I admit to being too lazy to look it up.

Is there an approx. age the Muscovy start laying ? and are they seasonal layers?

usually around 6 months is when mine start and yes they are seasonal layers. Mine usually start laying in April, it was March this year since it was warm earlier and usually finish up in early Oct. I am still getting a few eggs sometime 2-4 a day. 1 so far today. your times maybe different.

 

[BHep]

usually around 6 months is when mine start and yes they are seasonal layers. Mine usually start laying in April, it was March this year since it was warm earlier and usually finish up in early Oct. I am still getting a few eggs sometime 2-4 a day. 1 so far today. your times maybe different.

Thanks

 

[TheRookie]

Can some of you with broody duck experience pop over to the broody duck thread and help me out with a few questions? Thanks

 

[zach N houdan]

here r my blue and black muscovies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EdenCamp]

Still hoping for some gender guessing input...
I've gone out and read my brains out
Pictures are in post 2999
I labled them according to what I thought colors were but feel free to correct me there too. THANKS!

So confused as this is what I came up with!
Drakes hiss..but so do females (but they trill too)
Drakes have huge feet and thicker leggs (but females can fool ya)
Males have crests they can raise at will (but females have them too)
Males are twice the size (but not always).
Was the case with one when they came, and they all had stubby winglets then, but have evened out since then.
2-3 somewhat smaller but not a HUGE difference.
Males have a heavy footed waddle. Mine are ALL so fat! With the drought I've kept the feed heavy for good growth.
Males get carbuncling before flight feathers.
Now this one really confuses me - mine are all flapping around for the last 2-3 weeks but can't fly yet.
2 have more bunchy/fleshy carbs rather than outlining. This outlining pretty much started along with the wing flapping.
Do males only have knobs at the base of the bill or do females also?

They were supposed to be a drake and 6 ducks. I'm not thinking so.
It's getting late in the year and I was hoping to have babies in the spring - if these are all boys I need to be scrambling to find girls.
Not the mention taking a hard look at who to keep, find homes for or send to freezer camp.

Really appreciate some input here! Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

here r my blue and black muscovies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful, and Congrats on the ribbons.