Muscovy newbie

[JosephElliott]

Hello all. I am considering getting a few Muscovys this coming spring but have a few questions. I have never raised day old fowl before but I think I understand the basics. Tote with hardware clothe top, heat lamp. Food. Water. Clean bedding.

I would have to raise them in the house until they are old enough to go into a chicken tractor. At what age could they be transferred?

Can I use nipple waterers exclusively to cut down on mess in the brooder?

 

[TheBeardie]

Welcome to BYC!
I wouldn't use nipples the packages might say it's OK, but ducks have to be able to clean their nostrils multiple times a day. I use a gallon milk jug, with one side cut out short enough to be able to stick their heads in, but deep enough to stick their whole heads in.

I used a tote. It was easy to move around and easy to scrub. I let them take a bath with someone else watching them and I went out and cleaned the tote.

Once the little guys are mostly feathered out they can go outside, weather depending of course. If it's some time in the spring or summer they will be fine almost completely feathered out. They should be feathered out between 6-9 weeks.

Where are you planning on getting the ducklings?

 

[TheBeardie]

Also duck spam for your enjoyment. Muscovies are my favorite breed. I have six ducks, two males and four females. I need to get a few more girls to keep everyone happy.

Two of my girls.

One of the drakes

Another duck.

My other drake.

And finally the last duck.

 

[JosephElliott]

Thank you. I am planning to buy local-ish. A company called duckopolis.

 

[Brad Nimbus]

Welcome to BYC!
I wouldn't use nipples the packages might say it's OK, but ducks have to be able to clean their nostrils multiple times a day. I use a gallon milk jug, with one side cut out short enough to be able to stick their heads in, but deep enough to stick their whole heads in.

I used a tote. It was easy to move around and easy to scrub. I let them take a bath with someone else watching them and I went out and cleaned the tote.

Once the little guys are mostly feathered out they can go outside, weather depending of course. If it's some time in the spring or summer they will be fine almost completely feathered out. They should be feathered out between 6-9 weeks.

Hi Joseph! That gallon milk jug idea is fantastic. It's safe and much cleaner than an open bowl. I'm a little disappointed to discover that it wasn't my original idea, lmao!

I like to share another cleanup saver. Those puppy pads from Dollarama!


This is just my opinion but I'm not much of a Duckopolis fan. To each their own, of course.

 

[Brad Nimbus]

Also duck spam for your enjoyment. Muscovies are my favorite breed. I have six ducks, two males and four females. I need to get a few more girls to keep everyone happy.

Two of my girls.
View attachment 1644716

View attachment 1644717
One of the drakes
View attachment 1644718
Another duck.
View attachment 1644719
My other drake.
View attachment 1644720
And finally the last duck.
View attachment 1644721

If you were in Canada, I'd be bugging you for eggs! GORGEOUS birds!

Also a second nay on those nipple drinkers. Those are not meant for ducks!

 

[TheBeardie]

If you were in Canada, I'd be bugging you for eggs! GORGEOUS birds!

Thank you! They aren't even laying eggs right now! The little free loaders.

 

[Creekbird]

Thank you! They aren't even laying eggs right now! The little free loaders.

Do you know of anyone selling ducklings or eggs for hatching?

 

[TheBeardie]

Do you know of anyone selling ducklings or eggs for hatching?

You can try hatcherys, I don't know of any that sell muscovy though. Try local Facebook chicken groups. I've gotten ducks and ducklings from someone on mine. The seller as since stopped selling, so I need to find a new seller for some females myself soon.

 

[NorthernChick1]

They are very hardy but id wait till they start growing feathers before transfering them outside. Depending on where you live if wait till the weather is steadily around 20ish celcius. I use a chick waterer as its easier to clean their nostrils. One of mine passed away so i am getting 2 more this week for my lone one. They are great ducks if you want to house them with chickens.