Questions about Muscovies

[ChickaChickaBoomBoom]

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We live in a suburban development as well, so understand your concerns. Our Muscovy pair have been great neighbors - virtually silent, unless you count the male's heavy panting as "noise".

Having said that, as of tonight the female seems to indeed be living at a [drainage] pond down the street. I haven't clipped their wings, but let them out of a small covered run each afternoon/early evening so they can flap their wings. Well, tonight she apparently was ready to go for it. Hopefully when I get up in the morning she'll be back, but i'll definitely be needing to clip some wings.

Good luck with your adventure!

-Dave

 

[AndreaGS]

Thanks for sharing your experience, chickachickaboomboom! I hope your muscovy girl comes back. We'll definitely be clipping wings - there are a few ponds in our area as well as a multitude of creeks and rivers, so if they escaped, I'd have no idea where to look!

 

[ChickaChickaBoomBoom]

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Unfortunately, I can see her out an upstairs window in the pond, and frankly she looks like she's having a nice time. It's a huge pond, with all the various pond plants, shrubs, a little island, etc. And she's the only bird there. If I were her and had to choose between having "a day at the spa" over there, or coming back and getting harassed by a 15lb drake, I know which one I would choose.

I do hope she comes back for one very important reason (aside from the obvious): She is at laying age, and she looked to have the droopy belly a little bit. We were really looking forward to having some babies in the spring, but also I dont' want to be responsible if she goes over there and starts up a population. I just don't think that'd be right, and I've already started thinking about the "what if she doesn't come back" scenario.

If she does come back (crossing fingers), and if I am able to catch her (crossing toes), and if I'm able to get her back in the run (crossing eyes), I will not be letting her out until I get her clipped.

-Dave