They can FLY?!?!?!

[doubleatraining]

So I learned tonight that muscovies can FLY.....well enough to try to ROOST on top of the other pens. UGH. Why didn't I know this?? LOL

Going out with the net tonight to relocate them and remind them that they sleep in the floor of the grow out coop.....not on top of the bantam pen scarring my bantams for life. LOL

 

[Kevin565]

Yes Muscovies are excellent fliers especially when young. Will you be clipping their wings now?

 

[doubleatraining]

No, they stay around and since I'm free ranging without a pond I want them to be able to get away from predators.

 

[jdywntr]

Try giving them some roosts in their nighttime pen Mine roost with the chickens but they did not start until about 2 weeks ago. They are about 5 months old. I clipped their wings just after the flight feathers grew in. They really enjoy being able to roost though. Even outside, it is usually the muscovy who are on perches I made under the different shade shelters, not the chickens.

 

[doubleatraining]

There are roosts in their nightime pen. They like to dogpile in the corner though. LOL They came down on their own and went to bed. I don't mind them getting up there, just didn't expect them to fly...lol

The one that is showing off her(fingers crossed) skills is my funky barred one. The choc pied one stays on the ground with my lone Welch Harlequin duck.

 

[Going Quackers]

Oh for sure! BUT i find it varies by bird.. i have two that fly out everyday(they have a 5ft fenced area) i let them figure it out, the one is a duck she manages to come back in on her eventually, the drake isn't always capable of figuring it out lol My biggest(and oldest drake) can't get more than a few inches off the ground, so it definitely depends on the bird.