Why are Muscovy ducks ignore or forgotten?

[waterfowlrescue]

We have several hundred coming in on the 19th. So anyone interested in muscovys come on down!

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
P.O. Box 1484
Indian Trail, NC 28079
http://www.cwrescue.org
email [email protected]
Phone: 704-668-9486

"Maybe if more people had a duck in their lives, we all wouldn't be so mad at each other" - Joe Mansheim

 

[1lpoock]

Quote:
Holy crap!

 

[charlindabob]

Yes Heather, the Muscovies I have came from you and I am happy as a pig in slop over them! I only hatched 5, but the five that hatched are just great. I did send you an email regarding some more eggs.
I am glad this thread has taken off some as I didn't realize so many of you liked these ducks. Again, they are the perfect urban duck, much much quieter than my Mandarins too. I will do my best to post a picture here of my ducks this Saturday and there are a couple of you skeptical as to the beauty of Muscovies.....just wait, lol.
I am in the market for eggs from light tan (light brown) and white Muscovies that have distinct lines between the colors and some tan color on their head too. I would rather have equal amounts of tan and white or more white. Geez, I know I am being picky, but I want them for a breeding project.
I want to thank everyone so far for their contributions and have I been enlightened here! Glad I am not the only one who enjoys them. And yes, I would definitely say they are my favorite duck to be around. If I had to give up my flock of Mandarins or my Muscovies, I would keep the Muscovies!

 

[sred98]

This has definitely been a great thread! I had almost gotten some Cayugas (love the black feet and dark eggs!) but I have just thought that the ducks were too much trouble. I have 2 Chinese geese that constantly talk and follow me. Drives me a little crazy, sometimes, but they are sweet. I had just heard horror stories about ducks being messy and mean.

I do want a dual purpose duck...or is it triple purpose??

For eggs, meat, and just a pretty companion. Do they go in with the chickens and guineas at night like the geese do, or do they need their own area? Is a wading pool ok or will they cross the fence into our swimming pool? Our geese do not like being in water they cannot stand in, so I don't have to worry about them getting in the pool.

The temptation is getting to be too much!!!

Shelly

 

[melissa508]

I agree..muscovy are my FAVORITE duck breed also. I was use to much smaller ducks & had never seen the masks before- I think the mask gives them a great look. When people unfamiliar with waterfowl visit my farm, the 1st thing they point out is the muscovy.
And tame..they tame up so easily..and the most flying Ive seen would be my females who some mornings would do a short fly over the house & come right back..Ive always viewed it as excercise. I know most males dont fly at all, Ive had a few males..one in particular who was raised in the house, everyday when DH came home from work, "wiggles" would fly over the fence & greet him at the car door.
Theyre quiet & make awesome mothers.
The only drawbacks to me is their weight-the males dont care what breed of duck theyr going after & they are too heavy to mount smaller breeds & can injure them.

 

[sred98]

Quote:
Oh! Thanks for reminding me of the other reason I had held off on ducks...I had read horror stories of the males chasing down and actually killing hens by trying to breed them. Is this just when there are too many drakes, or is this a duck thing? I had some problems with my extra roos going after my guineas (male and female!

) but I've sent them all to freezer camp!

But, roosters aren't nearly as big as ducks. I don't want my girls stressed out. I'm finally down to 2 roos for 14 girls and it seems to be a good ratio.

Thanks for the feedback!

Shelly

 

[lauralou]

I have had my muscovies and chickens together, and haven't had any trouble with the drakes trying to mate the chickens. Thank God.

The one mature drake that I have now is a real gentleman, though. He never tries to mate the muscovy hens when they are broody, or otherwise unreceptive. In fact, I'm begging him to mate one of the ducks right now, and he seems slightly afraid of her. Not that I blame him. She's the dominant hen, and is a real firecracker... Still, if I could get a few fertile eggs before cold weather sets in, I'd be thrilled!

It might be different if you have a bunch of randy young teenager drakes running around. I haven't been in that situation yet. If I were, I'd be very careful, because those drakes are simply enormous.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Can you tell me how Muscovies fare against predators?

I have lost 2 ducks and one goose to (a fox?) and I have to lock them in every night. The ducks aren't too bad, but the geese do not want to go to bed in a kennel.

 

[chickensioux]

My muscovies are my favorite as far a sweetness goes. Both of mine a very calm and like attention.

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
I just visited CWR and the place is incredible. Jennifer told me about all the muscovies that were coming in. All of the birds there seemed very happy and healthy and well taken care of. But everyone still needs to visit and adopt!!!!