So Far So Good

[Caleigh]

Hi Everyone, i posted awhile ago about adding some ducks to our critters. I couldn’t seem to find that post again. We ended up getting 3 Muscovy’s and 2 Rouens. They are wonderful. We have had them a month and although they are not super friendly they are curious and follow us around the pond.
We debated on getting an automatic door and locking them in a shed at night but decided to make a floating duck platform instead which is working great. They are safe on it and always go there at night. These guys weren’t had raised and although they are curious about us we can’t handle them so at least they will be safe at night on the pond. Let me know what you guys think of our platform. We will be making a wintee house for them this summer.

 

[CayugaJana]

That house looks great. It’s a ducks heaven. Do you know how many girls and boys you have? I can see you have 1 of each on the rouens but don’t have experience with muscovys.

 

[Caleigh]

Thank you. I am pretty happy with it so far. We are slowly trying to make a duck paradise.
We have one muscovy drake (he is the grey one on the left) and 2 females (the chocolate brown one and the cream one).
You have Cayuga’s? What are they like? They are beautiful ducks. Would love to have some eventually. I am already worried about trying to add more as my guys are already territorial of the pond. The roeun male especially. Any wild ducks get chased off immediately and he even tries to stop my male muscovy from mating.

 

[CayugaJana]

I love cayugas. Mine are really friendly. They won’t let you pick them up but they allow you to pet them when you bring their favorite treats. I have Pekins also and they are much much quieter than the Pekins. They are also bottomless pits. Eat a ton.

I like my Pekins too. However I’m finding their legs require pampering to keep healthy. But they are beautiful and love getting treats.

Males are almost all the same no matter the species. They look like they have tons of space to swim in. Do they spend most of their day on the water?

Do you collect eggs? I’m assuming since you have muscovys, you will have lots of them soon as I hear they love to hatch out babies. And are supposed to be wonderful mothers.

 

[Caleigh]

Cayuga’s might be the next to add to our flock. They are beautiful birds. Good to know about the Pekins legs. I have seen other posts about problems with pekin legs.
I really didn’t know what to expect with the different breeds. The Rouens are much more active then the Muscocy’s. The male rouen sticks to his GF always where as the male muscovy does his own thing.
They are still getting used to the farm and are just starting to spend alot of time on the banks. We have 2 very energentic dogs that run alot so the ducks are still getting used to them. I am hoping in time they will get brave enough to mingle with the dogs and us. I have made roosts around the pond for the Muscovy’s as they like to perch. And i have an old dog house on the edge they have started sitting on. They love their treats. I have found they love cat food the best. I keep all my veggie scraps but they aren’t really interested in salad but the cat food makes them crazy.
We have had some eggs laid but some froze in the ice storm we had a few weeks ago. We have 6 eggs in the middle house so hoping they start to sit soon. I made the third house with small houses on it as i read they like a small area to nest. We just attached that platform last week so hoping they will lay in there.
I love all animals but i can’t believe how much i love these guys especially the Muscovy’s. They do somersalts in the water and practice their flying accross the pond. They are curious and just so much fun.
I’m still learning..so new to ducks

 

[Caleigh]

And yes males of any species seem to the same

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Very nice flock. Are the muscovies male or female? The two different breeds of duck are actually considered different species. They have their own language. Mallard derived ducks are not able to communicate with muscovies. That is why they stick together.

 

[Caleigh]

We have one male muscovy and 2 females.
I know the muscovy’s are not derived from the mallard and are more like a goose. They are totally different birds that is for sure. They all get along but i know the muscovy’s don’t make the same noises as the mallard types.
They are all fun to watch and i love that they are so different i their way of going!!

 

[CayugaJana]

Cayuga’s might be the next to add to our flock. They are beautiful birds. Good to know about the Pekins legs. I have seen other posts about problems with pekin legs.
I really didn’t know what to expect with the different breeds. The Rouens are much more active then the Muscocy’s. The male rouen sticks to his GF always where as the male muscovy does his own thing.
They are still getting used to the farm and are just starting to spend alot of time on the banks. We have 2 very energentic dogs that run alot so the ducks are still getting used to them. I am hoping in time they will get brave enough to mingle with the dogs and us. I have made roosts around the pond for the Muscovy’s as they like to perch. And i have an old dog house on the edge they have started sitting on. They love their treats. I have found they love cat food the best. I keep all my veggie scraps but they aren’t really interested in salad but the cat food makes them crazy.
We have had some eggs laid but some froze in the ice storm we had a few weeks ago. We have 6 eggs in the middle house so hoping they start to sit soon. I made the third house with small houses on it as i read they like a small area to nest. We just attached that platform last week so hoping they will lay in there.
I love all animals but i can’t believe how much i love these guys especially the Muscovy’s. They do somersalts in the water and practice their flying accross the pond. They are curious and just so much fun.
I’m still learning..so new to ducks

Somersaults in the water? Now that’s cool. I’ve never seen a duck do that. The nesting house is such a great idea

 

[Caleigh]

I swear they were doing somersalts. I couldn’t believe what i was seeing. They each did it several times. I will have to get a video next time i see them doing it.