New to Muscovy ducks

[Small town chicken farmer]

Hello all,
I am getting muscovy ducks next year and had a few questions
1) how many muscovies would fit into an 8x16 duck house if they free ranged during the day
2) do they need water inside the house if I lock them up at night and let them out early in the morning
3)how many chicks can I expect a mother to raise in one year/season
4) how many hens per drake is recommended
5) can they raise their own chicks to adulthood with great success
Thanks in advance

 

[Miss Lydia]

1 drake to 4 females at least more if you can. My Muscovy drake has 4 females now. And none are overbred. They love to brood and hatch and raise so no problems there. I have only let mine sit 8 eggs at one time but have read of others letting their females hatch out many more. One was 19 ducklings. How many in a large brood like that make it I have no idea.

 

[AKMommaF8]

I've had Muscovy for about 6 years now. They are the easiest keepers I have by far. I've found I like one drake to around 10 hens. I know that's more than most recommend, but every year I've had nearly all 10 hens hatch out anywhere between 5 -10 ducklings each. While they ate fantastic mothers, I personally take the ducklings so they don't drown in water bowls / pools (happened once, never again!) and I sell nearly all of them. Of course, THIS year, with all the construction, rearranging pens, I doubt I'll get any hens to hatch any babies.

 

[DukesDucks]

My Muscovy ducks have been good mothers in the past. Now I sell the eggs to resist the temptation of adding to my flock. I have 2 drakes and 8 females which I have to separate into 2 flocks during mating season. If you are going to have more than one drake, you may need to be prepared to do this. During fall and winter, the whole flock lives happily together.
My main coop is 10 x 10 with an attached 10 x 10 fenced run. They are also free-ranged when I am home. Never leave food or water inside the coop during the night. They are messy enough already and don't need water at night if there is no food.
Teach them early to return to the coop at night for security. I use a special treat, like meal worms, which they only get when they return to the run and I can herd them into the coop and shut the door.
I would also recommend a kiddy pool for them. Not sure where you are located but my ducks love a good splashing play time during hot weather.
Helpful when asking questions if you add your general location to your profile, like mine is Eastern Ontario.

 

[Portugal Muscovy Novice]

Curious to hear how your free range Muscovies turned out and if you head some experiences you can share? I have (I think) a similar set up with a large(ish) duck house and the free rage (no enclosure at all) and I'm struggling to get the hens to lay inside the duck house. I also don't close them in the duck house yet, but will do so shortly (once I can get my hands on the other two hens)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Closing off anyplace they can get under to lay worked here.