Muscovies

[GaryD]

Muscovies are excellent livestock for urban farming purposes.

While they are often referred to as a duck, they aren’t derived of the Mallard like other domestic duck breeds and scientists regard them as more of a goose than a duck.

Muscovies are much quieter than either ducks or geese – they hiss rather than quack or honk – so they’re less likely to annoy your neighbours.

Muscovies, like geese, are grazers and a large part of their diet can come from good forage.

Like ducks, they’ll happily clean up food wasted by other animals and they love live food like:

• snails
• worms
• slaters
• earwigs
• flies
• mosquitoes

Ducklings will hunt flies almost as soon as they are hatched.

[Miki]

Hi Gary, Muscovy's are lovely birds to have. We have put our three young ones at 6 weeks in with the chooks and they have settled in well, though it did take a while for them to get used to us - after a few weeks they have started copying the chooks at feeding time and it is a great sight having 5 black/blue/green Australorps (nearly point of lay pullets) running out of the paddock followed by 3 white waggling Muscovy's. It is a joy having them, they don't make much noise, they don't even hiss. They are not that active (other than at feeding time) but waddle around their water bowl which is refreshed every morning. The muddied left overs from the day before feed the veggie patch.

They all have their distinctive marks, one has black eyebrows, one has a couple of black dots and the other is completely white. Pictures will follow when made.

[fishfood]

Muscovies are excellent livestock for urban farming purposes.

While they are often referred to as a duck, they aren’t derived of the Mallard like other domestic duck breeds and scientists regard them as more of a goose than a duck.

Muscovies are much quieter than either ducks or geese – they hiss rather than quack or honk – so they’re less likely to annoy your neighbours.

Muscovies, like geese, are grazers and a large part of their diet can come from good forage.

Like ducks, they’ll happily clean up food wasted by other animals and they love live food like:

• worms
• slaters
• earwigs
• flies
• mosquitoes

Ducklings will hunt flies almost as soon as they are hatched.

You forgot snails

[GaryD]

You're right......I overlooked one of their favourite foods......fixed!

Thanks FF.

Gary

[grassroots]

I am considering getting a male muscovy and 2 female peking ducks for meat production. I have read that crossing them makes for a superior product that hatches earlier, on the table earlier and heavier than a female muscovy. Am I right in assuming this, or have I missed some important points?

Gwen

[GaryD]

Hi Gwen,

I was under the impression that crossing Muscovies and member of the Mallard species (most other ducks) produced 'mules' which are capable of good growth but which were usually infertile. I could be wrong.

Can you point me to the material to which you referred?

The reason I like Muscovies for backyard food production is that, unlike other ducks, they don't quack......so they don't present an issue with neighbours.

GaryD

[grassroots]

At first I was going to get muscovies because they did not quack, doing more research I found a few sites that wrote about these crosses.
http://www.metzerfarms.com/mule.htm
This is one of the sites about crossing muscovies and pekins. As I am breeding to eat, having infertile progeny is not a problem. The quacking of the pekin might be a problem as I live in the middle of town. If the quacking is a problem I will have to go back to the muscovies

Gwen

[MarkEinOz]

I have 4 Indian Runners and they would have to be the noisiest beggars getting around. They whoop it up, just to get your attention and stooge you for some food. I think I will have to move them on before the neighbours get cranky (and I have great neighbours).

Stick with "Mussies" if your a townie. You will need to clip their wings though. The young females in particular sometimes get excited and they are capabale of getting up and over your fences.

[Ravnis]

I've never raised poultry before, but am thinking of giving it a go. Debating on which one would be easier to raise: chickens (Chooks?), ducks or geese. From what I've read, the muscovies seem to be the best. I don't have a pond, but could get a wading pool rather easy. Any thoughts or pointers out there?

[kellenw]

Ravnis,
Are you wanting to raise something for meat, eggs or both? Muscovies are not a good selection for eggs, but they are a great bird for meat. They are hardy and grow fast. If you want a dual purpose duck, consider khaki campbells. They lay LOTS of large eggs and, while they dress out smaller than a Muscovy, they still provide a lot of meat. Pekin/Khaki crosses are even better in my opinion. Coturnix quail are easy keepers if you like lots of tiny eggs (they are delicious, just very small) and really tasty meat.