Roosts for Muscovies?

[PortageGirl]

OK, another hijack here... I'm having trouble finding the right place to ask this.

I do not have a pond, but I live on a river. We get wild ducks from time to time, venturing into our yard, and Canada Geese too. If I were to get some ducks eventually (I would love to have some Muscovies or perhaps some Welsh Harlequins) How likely is it they'd disappear if they got out... or would they more likely stay where the yummy food is.

I suppose if I got a pair or four, if they took off the world wouldn't end, but I wouldn't want them to get loose then suffer if weather and food source were unkind to them.

Thanks in advance, and sorry again for the hijack.

 

[chickygirl2]

The male muscovies are more powerful than any of my geese. They are extremely strong and will struggle to get away if they do not like being held. They will use their sharp claws if they have to....

 

[trulyviolet]

in my duck pen ( soon to be former summer only day pen for ducks)
there is a metal roof over one section and in THAT section is a sort of roofed over run in
there is a 2X6 roost in there

the only time i saw my ducks use that was in the coldest part of winter

now my babies ( no more babies, as two of the three girls are laying now) they will jump on a bucket or up on a pallet

i can and do pick them up and cuddle them, pet them, hug them
carry them around...... kiss their little heads
i used to carry them in and out from the crate in the house to the moveable pen and the day pen

lately i let them follow me out

i still sometimes have to carry them in at night
it's a game for us though
they get up to the door and then balk at going in
so one by one i pick them up and bring them in and they get their goodnight kisses and neck rubs

now i raised these babies from 4 hours old
in the house
took them out daily for walksies.....
(still we go for walksies daily.....they even know when i tell them 'walksies')

i did however notice that as each girl started to lay, she got a bit more independant

but if they are worried or scared or hungry or even just a bit lonely they come running


the other thing i found is ...... phoebe who started laying first STOPPED taking care of her feathers and stopped bathing
her mother was like that during the winter

my drake is terrible about feather care and bathing
but the other two girls spend hours

i have had muscovy ducks now almost three years, but until i raised these babies in the house i didn't get the full enjoyment out of them
the 2007 babies were raised by their duck mom, serafina and were only semi tame.....
they live on a 137 acre farm now, with a ten acre pond

vi