- Jul 15, 2011
- 204
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I took several different aged muscovys to auction tuesday. It was a test to see what the prices would bring.
Drake - 3yrs old $10 - sold
drake - 16 weeks - I bought back $4
Drake - 12 weeks - I bought back $4
hen - 12 weeks - I bought back $4
these were the only full size ducks at auction
there was a box of muscovy ducklings, they brought $1 a piece.
My father who is turning 75 this january cannot believe that the old drakes bring money and the younger birds don't sell. He has always sold or slaughtered them at 12 to 16 weeks. The general consensus is that is when they are best for meat. However it seems much different. For the past 2 years I monitor the auction to watch what the demand is and make the most money. On average a full grown hen only brings $2-$6. Juveniles bring about the same. Even though I have a vast assortment of colors in muscovys, like the pure white for plucking purpose. Gives a cleaner looking bird and is easier to pluck. I sell a few hens every year private sale for their colors for $15 each. A recent trip to China Town in Philly revealed live ducks ready for the table were $6
Duck eggs i can sell $3.50 - $4.00 a dozen all day long.
So weighing out my options.
Muscovy's are great at reproduceing. They do not need much outside assistance. They do like to eat alot of layer mash. Take too long to reach the age and size that the local market demands. hens are worth nothing.
Runner ducks - eat alot less feed. Provide alot of eggs. I have to collect eggs on a daily basis. Need to incubate eggs to keep livestock rotation.
I now have a whole flock of muscovys that are getting sold.
Drake - 3yrs old $10 - sold
drake - 16 weeks - I bought back $4
Drake - 12 weeks - I bought back $4
hen - 12 weeks - I bought back $4
these were the only full size ducks at auction
there was a box of muscovy ducklings, they brought $1 a piece.
My father who is turning 75 this january cannot believe that the old drakes bring money and the younger birds don't sell. He has always sold or slaughtered them at 12 to 16 weeks. The general consensus is that is when they are best for meat. However it seems much different. For the past 2 years I monitor the auction to watch what the demand is and make the most money. On average a full grown hen only brings $2-$6. Juveniles bring about the same. Even though I have a vast assortment of colors in muscovys, like the pure white for plucking purpose. Gives a cleaner looking bird and is easier to pluck. I sell a few hens every year private sale for their colors for $15 each. A recent trip to China Town in Philly revealed live ducks ready for the table were $6
Duck eggs i can sell $3.50 - $4.00 a dozen all day long.
So weighing out my options.
Muscovy's are great at reproduceing. They do not need much outside assistance. They do like to eat alot of layer mash. Take too long to reach the age and size that the local market demands. hens are worth nothing.
Runner ducks - eat alot less feed. Provide alot of eggs. I have to collect eggs on a daily basis. Need to incubate eggs to keep livestock rotation.
I now have a whole flock of muscovys that are getting sold.