Would I be able to get away with covert muscovies in my backyard?

[macmama]

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That's a possibility too... but I'd much rather something free-ranging and cageless to help with the bugs/weeds around our yard. Maybe that will be the third option if Muscovies don't work out.

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't like HOA rules, either. There's so many of those in SoCal. They don't even let you wash your car at home or even do minor work on it in the garage. I asked someone how they would know if you were working on your car in the garage if it's door was closed and someone told me that "they just know these things".

I hope you still treat your neighbor behind you nicely as long as you're not totally sure they turned you in. I had neighbors get in trouble with apartment rules and they automatically assumed it was me because I was home a lot and liked to sit by the window while I painted (so I had to be watching them). I never had any idea why they were angry at me and often said "you know why" if I asked.

 

[miss_thenorth]

HOA's are evil, IMO. My scovies (and I also have males) hiss, and that;'s pretty much the only sound they do make--oh --except for when they are pruning and flap their wings, you can hear that.
scovies are great for cities--no noise, don't need alot of water ( a bucket will do, or a kiddie pool). I also have quail but I agree about the freeranging. The eggs are better. My kids L O V E duck eggs, and will seek them out to chicken eggs always.

My quail, I pickle their eggs,but I raise them for meat.

 

[secretquail]

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me too... I have 26 in the incubator now. Once I know how many hatch, it's feast time on the big fatties!

I agree about HOA's being evil. Unfortunately, the world is overrun with them. it's easy to say 'choose a neighborhood without them', but that really isn't so easy.

Good luck with finding a duck. I just hatched out one Silver Appleyard. Not sure of the sex, but I'm hoping the HOA doesn't get wind... hehehe

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

yeah, but can't muscovies fly???? can't you imagine one of the neighbors having a cookout and all of a sudden coming in for a landing is one of your ducks....LOL

 

[Bleenie]

If you get Muscovies be SURE their wings have been clipped or clip them before letting them into their new pen. They are pretty good fliers and will explore if given the chance!

 

[macmama]

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I'll do that. I'm going to wait a little while, then probably look for some adult female Muscovies, though I'm still a bit hesitant because my girls took losing their chickens really hard.

I would hate to have them fall in love with their ducks just to lose them too.

The only non-HOA option around here are county islands, and when we bought this house 2 years ago we just couldn't afford one, because they are all on quite a bit of land. We could also have moved into one of the older neighborhoods that were built pre-HOA era, but we would have only gotten half the square footage for the price because they're closer to town-- small backyards, but chickens are okay. I wish we would have done that, but hindsight's 20/20...

 

[Wifezilla]

I agree...scovies or quail...or both

My quail run around the floor of my greenhouse. Plants grow on shelves above. They are so easy and those little eggs are so cute