Will Scovies keep wild ducks from landing on our pond?

[princessmama]

My FIL (who we share land with) is worried that if we let our scovies free-range they'll discourage wood ducks and canada geese from landing on the pond.

Seriously, the pond is quite small. I only see wood ducks on it maybe once or twice a year. Never for longer than a day or two. One pair of canada geese hatches goslings there every year. They leave the same day they hatch. I imagine because the pond in full of big-mouth bass which could easily swallow a gosling...

Anyway, we're trying to figure out if we need to build some kind of enclosure for them or what.

Any thoughts on the wildlife issue?

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

There is a possiblity that they could discourage the wood ducks, but as far as the geese go, they shouldn't.

 

[farmertank]

Oh yes they will lol I have seen the male muscovys take on Canada geese just because they didn't want them on their pond. The females are less likely to, but a good size male can get very territorial when it comes to wild geese and ducks.

I would let them free range and see how they act. If there is confrontation I would then worry about confining the muscovies.

Good luck

Julie

 

[Goat_Walker]

I agree, the males will. Ijust yesterday the canada geese tried to push my wild male out of the way fo some corn and boy did they get a surprise.
On the upside - I got some new goose featehrs for my collection

 

[CityChicker]

Muscovys absolutely have the ability to completely "take over" a pond, reproduce like crazy, and squeeze all the other birds out. Hence, the reason I was never allowed to get them when I was younger. We had a pond on our property that became completely overrun with them. My family had sold the place when I was very young and would *not* allow Muscovys at the new place. Every time I go back to visit my family and drive by the old place, there are STILL Muscovys on that pond literally more than thirty YEARS later. LOL

 

[TheDuckCrew]

well my ducks keep the poor little mallards away. they share the wild pond with them, but they don't like to share. so my big fat pekins chase these poor little things around until they fly away or go to the other end of the pond. meanies. i'd guess if the scovies were territoral as my boys, they would probably keep the wild ones away

 

[Giddyup]

Males will keep them off for sure.

We live across from a small lake treasured for the migratory ducks that visit. Our end was very quiet this year thanks to neighbors letting their birds roam - now they can't catch them.

 

[princessmama]

Thanks for all the replies. I was hoping to hear they'd just let the others land once in a while. Oh well...