- Sep 2, 2017
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Yes see if you can get a video. That would be neat to see.
So Far So Good
- Thread starter Caleigh
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- #12
- Sep 2, 2017
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No you aren’t crazy I’m sure! Mine have a shallow pool and that’s it. So I wouldn’t get to ever see mine do it. So I’d like to see yours. 
I love it when they have a lot of fun like that in the water.
I love it when they have a lot of fun like that in the water.
I have a large kiddy pool and even my female goose does somersalts in the pool
Love your set up and your ducks are gorgeous. I am very partial to Muscovies I have had them since 2004 mine are crazy for dog food lol
Just beware if your scovies hatch ducklings and you have snapping turtles they won't last long on the pond snappers are awful at eating them.
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- #15
Miss Lydia...omg...we do have snappers but i don’t think we have any in the pond. I have never seen any near the pond. Usually in the marsh outback.
Since you have Muscocy’s maybe you can answer a few questions. When we went to get the ducks the drake and one of the females were in the driveway hanging out. One of their dogs ran by and the drake gave him a snap so i said i wanted him thinking he would be brave with the dogs but since coming here he seems to be having the hardest time adjusting. He is always the most hesitant to hit the banks. Do you think this will change? Does he just need more time. The Muscovy’s seem to think much more before doing something new. The Rouens are much more go getters and always take the first plunge. I know Muscovy’s are a tree bird and i feel terrible they aren’t comfortable enough to walk all over yet. They are slowly getting there but it’s taken a month. I made roosts along the bank of the pond but have yet to see a bird on them. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated
. If there is anything else that you can think of to help them be more comfortable let me know. I also don’t know how old these guys are. They came from a place that was just a mess and i doubt the guy would have had any clue so maybe the drake is older and taking him longer to adjust.
One more thing...are you in a climate with a harsh winter? We are in ontario and i am reading mixed things on muscovy’s in the winter. I am worried about them getting frostbite on their caruncles (sp??)
Since you have Muscocy’s maybe you can answer a few questions. When we went to get the ducks the drake and one of the females were in the driveway hanging out. One of their dogs ran by and the drake gave him a snap so i said i wanted him thinking he would be brave with the dogs but since coming here he seems to be having the hardest time adjusting. He is always the most hesitant to hit the banks. Do you think this will change? Does he just need more time. The Muscovy’s seem to think much more before doing something new. The Rouens are much more go getters and always take the first plunge. I know Muscovy’s are a tree bird and i feel terrible they aren’t comfortable enough to walk all over yet. They are slowly getting there but it’s taken a month. I made roosts along the bank of the pond but have yet to see a bird on them. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated
. If there is anything else that you can think of to help them be more comfortable let me know. I also don’t know how old these guys are. They came from a place that was just a mess and i doubt the guy would have had any clue so maybe the drake is older and taking him longer to adjust.One more thing...are you in a climate with a harsh winter? We are in ontario and i am reading mixed things on muscovy’s in the winter. I am worried about them getting frostbite on their caruncles (sp??)
Hard to tell how old your scovies are but they look full grown, but hey I have a 10 yr old and she is broody so just keep that in mind they may not lay till around 7-8 but they still love to brood. lol
My ducks have all been raised around our dogs so they all are around each other daily. But I will say mine cannot be around any thing peeping the prey drive kicks in big time so another thing to think about when you have ducklings since you have dogs. But if these haven't been around dogs it will take time for them to feel comfortable around them because being prey they have no idea who will want to eat them.
Put a roost inside the house on the water they may roost in there. Mine roost in winter but not in spring and summer they lay in their shaving so each night they pick their favorite place to nestle down for the night so they are ready to lay their egg in the morning.
Frost bite is something that will be a possibility mine have gotten it on the knobs on their faces I will slather Vaseline of something similar over their skin to help keep it from happening.
The more time you all are out with them they will get more use to their new place. I am sure if they came from terrible circumstances they are thinking they are in heaven at their new place. Give them time they will come around.
Does your pond freeze over in winter? you'll need a plan to keep them safe if they can't get in the water to get away from a predator. I think your scovies are too heavy to fly up into a tree. Especially laying females.
My ducks have all been raised around our dogs so they all are around each other daily. But I will say mine cannot be around any thing peeping the prey drive kicks in big time so another thing to think about when you have ducklings since you have dogs. But if these haven't been around dogs it will take time for them to feel comfortable around them because being prey they have no idea who will want to eat them.
Put a roost inside the house on the water they may roost in there. Mine roost in winter but not in spring and summer they lay in their shaving so each night they pick their favorite place to nestle down for the night so they are ready to lay their egg in the morning.
Frost bite is something that will be a possibility mine have gotten it on the knobs on their faces I will slather Vaseline of something similar over their skin to help keep it from happening.
The more time you all are out with them they will get more use to their new place. I am sure if they came from terrible circumstances they are thinking they are in heaven at their new place. Give them time they will come around.
Does your pond freeze over in winter? you'll need a plan to keep them safe if they can't get in the water to get away from a predator. I think your scovies are too heavy to fly up into a tree. Especially laying females.
- Thread starter
- #17
Thank you Miss Lydia for the info.
I have no idea how old they are. They are mature and are laying eggs already. The male Rouen is breeding them to so I have no idea what happens in that case. Any ideas??
Our pond never freezes over even in -40. The edges get a thin crust on the coldest days but that’s it. We have an artisian well so it always pumps water into it. They will always be able to get to the platform. We are also going to build an insulated duck house for the winter and have it at the end of a dock. Hoping that will help eliminate any frostbite issues and i will be able to clean it easily. Right now we have to canoe out to the platform to add straw...kind of fun but won’t be in the winter...lol.
The ducks were used to dogs and every other kind of animal. The male and one of the females were in the driveway when we got there and one of the dogs ran by and the male snapped at him so that’s why i picked him thinking he would stand up to the dogs but he is the least brave one we have here which makes me think he is older and just needs more time. My dogs are very fast moving and all over the place. If the dogs are on the bank of the pond and walking around the ducks will swim along behind them. And our one dog went in the pond to get a drink and they all came over within about 7 feet of him. I think it’s just time. I am glad they have survival instincts as they are out all the time. I was going to get ducklings but thought i should get adults that weren’t hand raised and see how they make out. We are outside all the time now that it’s warm and i sit there at night and talk to them for abit. We have horses to and their pasture is right beside the pond so maybe once the horses are out on pasture they will get braver and head over there with them to graze around.
A few weeks ago one of the females got scared off and she can fly alright...she went up and over all the trees and into the neighbours pond. I was worried sick as it was an ice storm and she was there alone. We spent all weekend trying to catch her with no luck...monday after the storm had passed she was home here when i got back from work. I don’t think the male can fly...he tries and just skims the top of the water...lol. He’s a big boy!!
Do you just have muscovy’s? Can you tell me what colours they are? I tried to google it but there are so many variations i gave up
I am obsessed with the Muscovy’s...haha. I did research to figure out the best breed to get and decided on the Muscovy. My bf wasn’t too keen on their looks and wanted a mallard looking duck so that’s why we got the 2 rouens. The Rouens are cute but there is just something about the Muscovy’s
Thank you for all the info. I still have so much to learn but i am so enjoying them so much!
I have no idea how old they are. They are mature and are laying eggs already. The male Rouen is breeding them to so I have no idea what happens in that case. Any ideas??
Our pond never freezes over even in -40. The edges get a thin crust on the coldest days but that’s it. We have an artisian well so it always pumps water into it. They will always be able to get to the platform. We are also going to build an insulated duck house for the winter and have it at the end of a dock. Hoping that will help eliminate any frostbite issues and i will be able to clean it easily. Right now we have to canoe out to the platform to add straw...kind of fun but won’t be in the winter...lol.
The ducks were used to dogs and every other kind of animal. The male and one of the females were in the driveway when we got there and one of the dogs ran by and the male snapped at him so that’s why i picked him thinking he would stand up to the dogs but he is the least brave one we have here which makes me think he is older and just needs more time. My dogs are very fast moving and all over the place. If the dogs are on the bank of the pond and walking around the ducks will swim along behind them. And our one dog went in the pond to get a drink and they all came over within about 7 feet of him. I think it’s just time. I am glad they have survival instincts as they are out all the time. I was going to get ducklings but thought i should get adults that weren’t hand raised and see how they make out. We are outside all the time now that it’s warm and i sit there at night and talk to them for abit. We have horses to and their pasture is right beside the pond so maybe once the horses are out on pasture they will get braver and head over there with them to graze around.
A few weeks ago one of the females got scared off and she can fly alright...she went up and over all the trees and into the neighbours pond. I was worried sick as it was an ice storm and she was there alone. We spent all weekend trying to catch her with no luck...monday after the storm had passed she was home here when i got back from work. I don’t think the male can fly...he tries and just skims the top of the water...lol. He’s a big boy!!
Do you just have muscovy’s? Can you tell me what colours they are? I tried to google it but there are so many variations i gave up
I am obsessed with the Muscovy’s...haha. I did research to figure out the best breed to get and decided on the Muscovy. My bf wasn’t too keen on their looks and wanted a mallard looking duck so that’s why we got the 2 rouens. The Rouens are cute but there is just something about the Muscovy’s
Thank you for all the info. I still have so much to learn but i am so enjoying them so much!
You'd probably enjoy this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hare-your-pics.130753/page-1974#post-19889786
As for colors @learycow or @Nyla knows colors more than I.
I started out with Muscovy because I met 3 drakes in our Mt River down below us decided to adopt them and went and got female Muscovies to go with them Not having any idea I was in for some heart ache. Drakes began fighting and one killed another which left 2 the girls chose one of the drakes for their knight in shining armor which left the one alone he went down to the river and never came back that was in June of 2004 and not until 2016 did I add Runners and Buffs to our flock. A friend on here sent me eggs and my Muscovies brooded them. So now I have 5 Runners and 2 Buffs 1 Runner drake all the rest are female. My Muscovy drake pays them no mind doesn't even give those girls a second look but the Runner drake always goes after the Muscovy females. So if your Muscovy females lay and brood if you have a mix of scovy and Rouen the ducklings she hatches will be sterile. Now I don't see that as a bad thing just means one way of keeping the population in check.
I am glad your female came home that is the biggest way people lose their Muscovys flying away second is predation.
I have 1 blk and white female 2 blue with white heads and 1 blue fawn. and my drake is black a white and you can go here and see some pics
https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/miss-lydia.42327/
As for colors @learycow or @Nyla knows colors more than I.
I started out with Muscovy because I met 3 drakes in our Mt River down below us decided to adopt them and went and got female Muscovies to go with them Not having any idea I was in for some heart ache. Drakes began fighting and one killed another which left 2 the girls chose one of the drakes for their knight in shining armor which left the one alone he went down to the river and never came back that was in June of 2004 and not until 2016 did I add Runners and Buffs to our flock. A friend on here sent me eggs and my Muscovies brooded them. So now I have 5 Runners and 2 Buffs 1 Runner drake all the rest are female. My Muscovy drake pays them no mind doesn't even give those girls a second look but the Runner drake always goes after the Muscovy females. So if your Muscovy females lay and brood if you have a mix of scovy and Rouen the ducklings she hatches will be sterile. Now I don't see that as a bad thing just means one way of keeping the population in check.
I am glad your female came home that is the biggest way people lose their Muscovys flying away second is predation.
I have 1 blk and white female 2 blue with white heads and 1 blue fawn. and my drake is black a white and you can go here and see some pics
https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/miss-lydia.42327/
- Thread starter
- #19
Learning so much from you!!
That is horrible what you went through with your first ducks.
Now i am worried my rouen male is going to hurt my male muscovy
. They seem fine except when trying to mate. The rouen tries to stop him. My muscovy male never fights back. He just tries to get away.
I did read the babies would be sterile if they were mixed. How do i tell if they are mixed or not? Sounds like a silly question but wha would be the distinguishing features? Caruncles? It’s definitely not a bad thing. I don’t need a million ducks...i would like a million but don’t need that many
I tried to look up the colours but there are so many variations. I gave up...lol.
That is horrible what you went through with your first ducks.
Now i am worried my rouen male is going to hurt my male muscovy
. They seem fine except when trying to mate. The rouen tries to stop him. My muscovy male never fights back. He just tries to get away. I did read the babies would be sterile if they were mixed. How do i tell if they are mixed or not? Sounds like a silly question but wha would be the distinguishing features? Caruncles? It’s definitely not a bad thing. I don’t need a million ducks...i would like a million but don’t need that many
I tried to look up the colours but there are so many variations. I gave up...lol.
Go to top of page where it says search type in mule ducks. I tried to copy and paste it here but it won't work.
as long as your Muscovy drake doesn't fight back and just leaves all is okay it's when they stand up to each other that the trouble begins and Honestly it probably wouldn't ever get as far as death for either. I have had many Muscovy drakes since that happened and it usually meant one would be dominant the rest would stay out of his way as good as possible. There were a few I had to keep apart but I think 2 Muscovy drakes would have more problems between themselves than say Muscovy and another breed. That is interesting your Rouen seems the dominant one there. Although I have Runner drake and my Muscovy drake pays him no mind at all even when he gets one of the Muscovy females down right in front of him he'll just peck him a few times. I am not sure my M drake realizes Snoop the RD is a duck being he looks different. lol
as long as your Muscovy drake doesn't fight back and just leaves all is okay it's when they stand up to each other that the trouble begins and Honestly it probably wouldn't ever get as far as death for either. I have had many Muscovy drakes since that happened and it usually meant one would be dominant the rest would stay out of his way as good as possible. There were a few I had to keep apart but I think 2 Muscovy drakes would have more problems between themselves than say Muscovy and another breed. That is interesting your Rouen seems the dominant one there. Although I have Runner drake and my Muscovy drake pays him no mind at all even when he gets one of the Muscovy females down right in front of him he'll just peck him a few times. I am not sure my M drake realizes Snoop the RD is a duck being he looks different. lol
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