What can you tell me about Muscovies?

[TaraontheCoast]

Yes, I can do the research online, but I'd love to hear personal stories and information.

In my on-going search for ducklings, I came across a farm a couple hours south of me that raises ducks for meat. Not my thing, but to each their own. But, these are happy ducks, certified organic and they are free ranging and waddling around all day. She can't sell me ducklings, but she CAN sell me young adult ducks who didn't make weight to become meat ducks.

I'd be disappointed to miss out on the whole raising ducklings experience-is it harder to bond with adult ducks?

They're used to being around dogs, which is great-they live 24/7 with a livestock guardian dog. I know MY dogs will still need time to figure out what the heck a duck is

What are some pros and cons to this breed? Pros and cons of getting adults vs. ducklings?

 

[my1stchicks]

I'd run not walk to get them!!

I love my scovies!! They are such sweet ducks! No noise just hissing from the male and little chirps from the girls.
They are seasonal layers and will brood lots of babies if you let them.

Bonding with adults might be a little harder but as I've read on here treats will get them liking you just fine! They really like peas!
I'm sure someone will offer more info. We all like talking about our scovies!

 

[TaraontheCoast]

Anyone else?

I actually saw some ducklings today too, so 2 Muscovy choices!

I know they can fly, which is a bit of a concern to me. I could get the adults with a feather clipped so they couldn't, but not the ducklings, and I wouldn't know how to do that myself.

I also read that you need to take their eggs from them very strategically, or they'll hide their nest from you...

 

[Bettacreek]

The adults will moult their feathers, so you'd still have to learn how to clip them. With ducklings, you could actually have someone pinion them, if they're just hatched.

 

[my1stchicks]

Quote:
Do a search on here for "clipping wings" it's very easy to do. I did the beauty clip on mine, where you leave the first two unclipped, so they can get a bit into the air but not much. As far as getting their eggs...I keep mine in their run until about 10 so they lay in there that way when I let them out I can just go in and get them if I want.

 

[TaraontheCoast]

Quote:
Do a search on here for "clipping wings" it's very easy to do. I did the beauty clip on mine, where you leave the first two unclipped, so they can get a bit into the air but not much. As far as getting their eggs...I keep mine in their run until about 10 so they lay in there that way when I let them out I can just go in and get them if I want.

Thanks! Honestly, I wouldn't care if they chose to fly out of the garden and forage on the property, but my concerns would be a-that they were safe during the day from predators and b-that they wouldn't fly away and leave me. Probably less risk of this if they were raised from ducklings and understood what home was, yea?

For eggs, you meant you wait until 10 am or until 10 eggs have been hatched?

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I adore my muscovys. Nothing is cuter than them wagging their tails or their little head bobbing that they do. They're easy to win over with food and will follow me around wagging their tails. I have 9 of them and 12 eggs in the incubator!!

Laurie

 

[my1stchicks]

"For eggs, you meant you wait until 10 am or until 10 eggs have been hatched?"

10 am. Also if you get adults just leave them in a pen for a few days, I'd probably wait at least a week, before you let them run free.
That way they know where their home is.

Have fun and don't forget to post pictures when you get them!

 

[Pidgey104]

I love my Muscovys

I have about 15 of them two drakes and the rest hens. The will go broody on you in a heart beat. I ahve three hens that are broody now. Two hens after I got them showed away. The don't buge for anything. I ahve counted their eggs they have under them. They have a total of 60 eggs under them. !!!! The Drakes are lazy you can be hrowing bread oiut to them and They just sit there but if you throw it within reach then They'll eat.

I love the angel wings muscovys best. I have one drake and hen which are about 10 years old. That I have had forever.

 

[kysilkies]

We have 3 with very distinct loving personalities, other than the occasional nip I can't say enough good things about them...They respond to their names and free range all day with no worries of them running off...

Here they are free ranging with their silkie buddies!