muscovy, to clip or noy to clip....

[americanchicks]

Hi all,
so my 3 month old female Muscovy have started flying. It is pretty cool to watch. I live on 5 acres with 9 acres of woods on one side and 3 acres of grassy wetland on the other. so they have lots of room to explore. There pen is covered so I only have to worry about them flying during free range time. Doing some reading however looks like Muscovy can take off any time and not come back. Sometimes even following migrating ducks. I like the idea of flight to get away from predators. Flight has no effect on hawk attack however. Lost my favorite duck yesterday she was a month older than the rest and a well established flyer.

 

[Rysktal]

I'm so sorry for your loss
My Muscovies are almost gaining air when they run and flap. I really don't want to clip their wings but I guess we might have to.
I would love them to fly but stick around where I can see them! Wishful thinking perhaps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I loved watching the Muscovy's fly along the river below our home but to keep mine from flying down to the river I clipped their wings once in the river they would be way down stream in no time and just for the shear joy of flying I didn't want to take the chance they couldn't find their way home. Lots of predators between us and the river with woods all around. So mine seem very happy to just hang out at their large kiddy pool and my drake who isn't clipped has never left his girls. Very sorry for your loss.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I clipped one wing on each. They can still fly, but not a long distance or get too much height.

 

[americanchicks]

I'm so sorry for your loss
My Muscovies are almost gaining air when they run and flap. I really don't want to clip their wings but I guess we might have to.
I would love them to fly but stick around where I can see them! Wishful thinking perhaps.

Thank you. Had to tell the kids this morning. She was the family favorite.

Its fun watching them flap and try to fly. The drakes are trying but only seen one fly so far. About 15 ft but only got about 8 inches off the ground. When Duke (that's the female we lost) would fly she would loop around the front acer our property. The last couple days she had been landing on the roof of the house too. Duke never went far but just worried that that may of changed as she got older. I don't mind them exploring as long as they come back.

 

[americanchicks]

I loved watching the Muscovy's fly along the river below our home but to keep mine from flying down to the river I clipped their wings once in the river they would be way down stream in no time and just for the shear joy of flying I didn't want to take the chance they couldn't find their way home. Lots of predators between us and the river with woods all around. So mine seem very happy to just hang out at their large kiddy pool and my drake who isn't clipped has never left his girls. Very sorry for your loss.

Thank you. I have lost chickens but for some reason losing a duck really bums me out. I do have a seasonal stream on the property that leads to the river. Never thought about them going down stream.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd say all of the Muscovy's that live in the Mountain river here are ones that have flown off I have even talked to folks who owned Muscovy's that flew off and ended up in a river close by them. Not worth it to me. I love mine too much.

 

[americanchicks]

I'd say all of the Muscovy's that live in the Mountain river here are ones that have flown off I have even talked to folks who owned Muscovy's that flew off and ended up in a river close by them. Not worth it to me. I love mine too much.

I know right something about the Muscovy that are so charming. My hubby is not a fan of my chickens because the pope everywhere, but he loves the ducks even though they poop even more. I think I will end up clipping, thanks for the info all!

 

[casportpony]

So sorry for your loss.

Here is a good video:

 

[SkyeT]

Yeah, we are in the same place with our little duck crew. Confetti, our female Muscovy has gotten in the air about 2 feet up and went about 10 feet before landing. Mostly, though, she flaps and runs. Sunshine, our Rouen female, is about the same. Maggie, the Pekin male tries so hard, but that big butt is going nowhere. Our runner, Duckter J, tries hard to fly, but just ends up flapping on his toes and going in circles. Cupcake, our big male Muscovy, stands tall, flaps those huge wings, but all it does is help him run faster. We will be investing in some very sharp and strong scissors this weekend to clip some feathers on our girls.