Ruddy Shelduck.

[Wildfeather]

Muscovy , you better read up about Cape Barrens. The Ruddy Shelducks do not belong with
Cape Barrens. Capes should have their own enclosure. Ruddy Shelducks for the most part
do best in breeding season in their own pen.

 

[muscovy man14]

I have to agree with you it looks like I have to make a decision :/ lol what's your opinion?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yes both are aggressive, Cape Barren will pretty much kill anything in their pens, and they especially hate shelducks.
First you have to find Cape Barrens though before you even need to worry about it. Then you need to be able to afford them when you do. Only a small handful keep them in North America.
Being that you are just starting out with these type of waterfowl, I'd highly advise against even worrying about all these. Stick with the common, cheap, and easy to find and keep species first. Then if you decide youre good at it and enjoy it, move on up.
any of the common teal, wood ducks, mandarins, pintails, red heads, widgeons, etc. They all make good start up birds.
if you like the shelduck, go with common/ European, or radjah. They are both way more compatable with a community group than the others

 

[muscovy man14]

Thanks bbb I have to agree with you :/ lol I'll just have to put the cape barrens of for a little while and see how I do with the birds I'll be getting this fall

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

honestly, I did this for many many years, still am on a small scale right now, but the Cape Barren were always just too much. Beautiful, but I never really wanted them.

theres other much more docile species of geese out there that I think you will like just as much

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

get you a nice collection of the common stuff going, and give them 2-4 years. Most aren't going to produce til 2-3 anyway.

see how that goes, and progress up from there.

That's how virtually all of us did it too.

 

[muscovy man14]

Agreed completely I can tell I was a little over anxious (or a lot!) I do what your telling me to do! Thx!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

haha, no problem. feel free to PM me any questions you may have down the road too

 

[muscovy man14]

Thx!

 

[cajunfowl0]

some pics of my ruddy male I love the shelducks they are my favorite