- Oct 11, 2010
- 2
- 0
- 7
I recieved my notice from George T Alan that they made changes to the proposal on Muscovy ducks. I, and anyone else interested, has until December to mail in (they aren't accepting e-mails) a response to the changes. The changes are better, but still clearly state that Muscovy duck can be raised for Personal Consumption only, meaning you can't sell Muscovy duck meat anymore (sad news for a lot of meat suppliers out there).
But I found a glaring flaw in their proposal and would like to share the following information for all who are interested.
The domestic variant of the Cairina Moschata is not genetically identical to the wild Muscovy. The Domestic Muscovy was first farmed for meat before the 16th century. During hundreds of years of domestication, the Muscovy duck was hybridized with Cairina scutulata (white winged wood duck) as well as with Sarkidiornis melanotos (South American Comb Duck). The result is the Cairina Moschata Momelanotus (generally referred to simply as Cairina momelanotus).
All true domestic Muscovy ducks are a distinct hybrid. Cairina momelanotus are larger than their wild counterparts, nest on the ground rather than in trees, and come in a wide variety of colors. (interesting to note that the momelanotus was imported to America from from Europe prior to the import of even Pekins to the U.S.)
Having examined multiple instances of photos claiming to be of the Cairina Moschata in the wild, I have noticed that almost every photo is actually of a Cairina momelanotus. While I sympathize with the Southern states in their plight with feral Muscovies, those are not wild birds. Many show traits of being a mix between a true Cairina moschata and the Cairina momelanotus.
If the determination of the Muscovy being a migratory bird is based on these mixed breed birds, it negates the validity of the label. Cairina momelanotus can survive where the true moschata cannot.
The proposed regulations clearly state that there is no genetic difference between wild and domestic Muscovies, and there is. Domestic Muscovies are a hybrid. The proposed regulation bases it's definition of migratory on the assumption that there is no difference between domestic and wild Muscovy. Thus the application of the label migratory is not valid (until and unless they can produce a true moschata and not a momelanotus in the areas in question). While the current proposal is fine for most small farms and hobby breeders, the fact remains that they are taking away the right to sell Muscovy meat, based on false information.
Thank you for your time.
But I found a glaring flaw in their proposal and would like to share the following information for all who are interested.
The domestic variant of the Cairina Moschata is not genetically identical to the wild Muscovy. The Domestic Muscovy was first farmed for meat before the 16th century. During hundreds of years of domestication, the Muscovy duck was hybridized with Cairina scutulata (white winged wood duck) as well as with Sarkidiornis melanotos (South American Comb Duck). The result is the Cairina Moschata Momelanotus (generally referred to simply as Cairina momelanotus).
All true domestic Muscovy ducks are a distinct hybrid. Cairina momelanotus are larger than their wild counterparts, nest on the ground rather than in trees, and come in a wide variety of colors. (interesting to note that the momelanotus was imported to America from from Europe prior to the import of even Pekins to the U.S.)
Having examined multiple instances of photos claiming to be of the Cairina Moschata in the wild, I have noticed that almost every photo is actually of a Cairina momelanotus. While I sympathize with the Southern states in their plight with feral Muscovies, those are not wild birds. Many show traits of being a mix between a true Cairina moschata and the Cairina momelanotus.
If the determination of the Muscovy being a migratory bird is based on these mixed breed birds, it negates the validity of the label. Cairina momelanotus can survive where the true moschata cannot.
The proposed regulations clearly state that there is no genetic difference between wild and domestic Muscovies, and there is. Domestic Muscovies are a hybrid. The proposed regulation bases it's definition of migratory on the assumption that there is no difference between domestic and wild Muscovy. Thus the application of the label migratory is not valid (until and unless they can produce a true moschata and not a momelanotus in the areas in question). While the current proposal is fine for most small farms and hobby breeders, the fact remains that they are taking away the right to sell Muscovy meat, based on false information.
Thank you for your time.
