Thinking about Mascovy ducks.

[Mr MKK FARMS]

If you want to breed yes, I got my ducks when they where 3 months old and loved on them a ton. I still love on them and I so love my new ducklings

Thanks.

 

[Going Quackers]

Claws

Weaker immune system

While i don't disagree on the claws, the secondary comment has me completely lost, not only have i never encountered this, i have not read it anywhere. Do you own Muscovy? has this been your experience with the breed? The Majority of the ducks I have and still are Muscovy, they are a hardy, sturdy, personable, breed.

 

[Going Quackers]

OP if you want to breed, then yes, obviously you'll need a drake lol What to tell you? well firstly, they are not mallard derived, the breed itself so that means any offspring from a mating with a duck that is will result in the offspring to be sterile.(mules)

Next, they roost, yes.. really.. the drakes too.. i have a roosting bar outside(think two by fours set on concrete blocks & a shelf in barn) they also fly, the ducks especially well, drakes usually by 1yo have lost the ability due to bulk.

The facial fleshing, if you live where it gets very cold, you will need to protect it, Vaseline works, usually only the most fleshy birds are bothered *ie drakes! but i have weathered winters with these guys and not lost a soul, and i know winter as i am Canadian, heck we had snow in May this year lol

They do need water contrary to sayings otherwise now yes they have an undeveloped oil gland in comparison to mallard breeds so they are not as waterproof, this makes then not as water hoggy BUT to maintain proper feather health(overall health) they do need bathing water, kiddy pools work wonderfully, easy to clean and maintain, little ones like to swim, dive, etc i have some that enjoy water more than others.

I free range all my Muscovy, now your individual mileage will vary with this, predators are a concern with this method as well as ensuring you have a safe overnight building, plus a good system down on how to get them back in each night.

Mine are here for pest control and eggs, to be honest they are actually documented for the fly catching ability, they clean these up and others things around the farm, we keep horses so they are a natural way of keeping these down...

I do breed on occasion, i usually leave the babies with mamas, they are way better than i could ever be and be more seamlessly brought into the flock that said i have integrated into the flock okay with non related birds.

For drakes, ensuring proper higheer Archy is important but that is the case with any drake, i am top drake here and don't tolerate that being challenged, at the moment i keep two drakes. I also have 3 juveniles. It's important to maintain good ratios, at least 2-3 ducks(hens) per. I have 9 ducks at the moment to my two boys, plus 2 young female buff ducks and 4 brand new just hatched sex not known lol

Hopefully, all of the above helps.

 

[Spifflove]

While i don't disagree on the claws, the secondary comment has me completely lost, not only have i never encountered this, i have not read it anywhere. Do you own Muscovy? has this been your experience with the breed? The Majority of the ducks I have and still are Muscovy, they are a hardy, sturdy, personable, breed.

They were weaker than my Jumbo Pekin, which I suppose just means my Jumbo are especially hardy. But since you free range yours you would never experience that problem. My ducks live under a tractor which I move around every few days because my neighbors don't appreciate duck poo on their porch.

I forgot to add the best benefit of Muscovy:
Best, leanest meat bird; at least the french version is.

Also, imho the blue-eyed version is the most beautiful duck out there, in contrast to my first belief to the contrary.

Wear proper clothing when handling Muscovy. Long sleeves and gauntlets. They don't try to scratch you but they leave deep gouges not just surface scratches.

 

[Going Quackers]

They were weaker than my Jumbo Pekin, which I suppose just means my Jumbo are especially hardy. But since you free range yours you would never experience that problem. My ducks live under a tractor which I move around every few days because my neighbors don't appreciate duck poo on their porch.

I forgot to add the best benefit of Muscovy:
Best, leanest meat bird; at least the french version is.

Also, imho the blue-eyed version is the most beautiful duck out there, in contrast to my first belief to the contrary.

Wear proper clothing when handling Muscovy. Long sleeves and gauntlets. They don't try to scratch you but they leave deep gouges not just surface scratches.

Could you elaborate on how though? i don't own pekin, do you mean because they were confined? I'm rural, they have acres to roam.

 

[Spifflove]

Could you elaborate on how though? i don't own pekin, do you mean because they were confined? I'm rural, they have acres to roam.

I can't be certain because I did not have any autopsy performed. But from my reading they must have gotten mold-contaminated feed. Anyways they did well for about a year then they all got respiratory symptoms and died in a couple of days. I changed the feed and cleaned the feeder and continue to make sure the feeder is clean and flows freely. The Jumbo were with them and not affected. I read that Muscovy are the canary in the coal mine for these sorts of problems.

 

[Going Quackers]

I can't be certain because I did not have any autopsy performed. But from my reading they must have gotten mold-contaminated feed. Anyways they did well for about a year then they all got respiratory symptoms and died in a couple of days. I changed the feed and cleaned the feeder and continue to make sure the feeder is clean and flows freely. The Jumbo were with them and not affected. I read that Muscovy are the canary in the coal mine for these sorts of problems.

Mold contaminated feed can negatively effect any duck regardless of breed though. I have not read they are the canary, quite contrary actually.

 

[Spifflove]

Mold contaminated feed can negatively effect any duck regardless of breed though. I have not read they are the canary, quite contrary actually.

Well that was my experience as I related it. If I has horses, flies, and a farm like you I would certainly be thinking differently.

Now alot of people on the duck forums only keep a few for pets and will not need to worry much about flock problems. Everyone has a different situation.

 

[WhiteLightning]

I love Muscovies! I have two.

Only issues I have ever had is my drake is very territorial when it comes to my dog and has even attack him. Mind you by dog is about 200lbs. In general both of mine are very kind to people.

They do use their claws when attacking Ive noticed. Using them to hold on and boy do they lol. Got caught inbetween the few times my drake decided to attack my dog. Being so caught up in the moment he turned on me. Thank god I was wearing jeans that day lol.

But yeah thats my only problem Ive ever had but even then Id still get more! They are wonderful birds.