Processing Muscovy ducks

[North Town Duck]

Judy, thanks for the information. I saw that you wrote on many subjects, haven't had time to read them all but I will get to them. thanks for the heads up about writing and asking questions in the correct area. You mentioned your ducks were setting already. Down south do they lay year round? I am in New Hampshire, chickens are laying but ducks not for a little while. We have been 10 degrees or less for the last week. come on spring.~~!!!!

thanks
Bruce

 

[jdywntr]

Technically, muscovy are seasonal layers. Mine are on the younger side, hatched spring 2012. They started laying in Sept. All stopped but one who went broody and hatched 13 on 12/5 (mom is still with her babies who are almost her size

.) Then the other 3 started laying this month, 1 went broody about 2 weeks ago. We've had some unseasonably warm days, high 60s, and then freezes overnight. A number of people on the duck forum from around the country are seeing eggs from their muscovy already though.

 

[miachick]

Im going to process 2 of my drakes and i have no idea how to start. Any sugestions or good online sources to show exactly what ill need. and how to do it. Im worried i cant get all the guts out .

 

[jdywntr]

Im going to process 2 of my drakes and i have no idea how to start. Any sugestions or good online sources to show exactly what ill need. and how to do it. Im worried i cant get all the guts out .

Look at all of the info on chickens. It is hard to find butchering info for domestic ducks. Internally, they are basically the same so following instructions for butchering a chicken will work.

A big difference is Muscovy drakes have VERY thick neck vertibrae. If you are using an axe, be prepared, they are much tougher than expected.

I hang upside down ( I don't have a cone) I slit jugulars. I don't pluck, I skin them and usually just part them out.