Muscovies for first Ducks?

[ChickenedOut]

I want to have ducks and have no experience at all wth ducks, only chooks. I think backyard ducks are going to become popular here in NZ. And I love to bake especially during the rain in Autumn and winter. I also want to be a fantastic pasta maker and sell my product. So want eggs and wouldnt mind tasting a few ducks as well. I want to get Pekins but there are alot of Muscovies for sale and are cheap. Are Muscovies too over the top for a first timer? I have heard they are smelly and dirty quite alot. I havent got alot of room or a pond but they will have the whole front yard to themselves and I might buy an old bath for them to swim in. I have heard muscovies dont swim either. I want a small clean quite duck for eggs and breeding and want to taste some meat once and a while. Whats the best breed? Please.

[astevens4]

Im afraid none that i nkow of have all those traits! FDor eggs you'd be looking at Khaki Campbells and Indian Runner ducks - they'll lay alomost every day for you, the indian runners get quite big so make a reasonable table bird with your spare drakes. Khaki's are smaller than your runners, but still a lot bigger than your wild mallards. The runners tend to be pretty active and slightly skittish and noisy (but are my favourites!) The KC's are calmer and dont rampage all over everywhere like the runners do.

Both runners and KC's dont NEED a place to swim - just enough water depth to dunk their heads - i use a kids sandpit - it needs to be something that can be emptied easily.

Which brings me to the last and most important point - there is no such thing as a clean DUCK - if they have access to MUD they will turn it into a mudbath. full stop - all the breeds ive ever had do it - its a natural instinct as thats what they do in the wild to find food (reffered to commonly as "puddling").

Its a big part of the reason i put down 3 X 6 tonne loads of chippings in my big runs - otherwise it quickly becomes a quagmire.

Tony

[pattycake]

The first ducks and only ducks I've ever had are muscovies. The female is small compared to the drake but very quiet they don't quack. They are docile but can fly so you'll need to clip a wing to keep them home. Big drakes can't fly as well as the females. As for swimming they are great swimmers but are considered tree dwellers so they don't have as much of an oil gland as your swimming ducks and can get water logged easier. I have a large kiddie pool for mine and in the warm months they love it I just have to change the water at least 3 times a week. As for eggs they are great brooders and make wonderful mothers,, but having more then one drake with the females can be rather hard on the girls and also the drakes will fight. So take all this into consideration before you decide. The eggs are great for baking though and good for eating also.I have 10 muscovies and it can get quiet messing but a good garden hose will do wonders. The drakes can get frostbite also but we live in a cold climate during the winter and have not had a problem. They are secure at night also because of predators. Hope all of this helps and good luck.

[ChickenedOut]

Geez, they sound like dirty buggers dont they. My lawn is already ripped up by big chooks. How many ducks does a drake need to keep them all happy? Are ducks good mums?

[Vampyra]

Muscovy are a quiet duck because they really don't quack. From what I read they came from the jungle and are not really a true duck. They do like trees and the females can fly a distance when grown but the males will be too large and heavy to fly. When adult they are very easy to sex just by size. They are meat eaters and if you have outdoor cats you better hide all your cat food because they will eat it. I have seen adult drakes swallow young ducklings whole so watch them around the young. The females are excellent mothers. Because they are not a true duck if they breed with a mallard, Pekin or Rouen the young will be sterile and are called mules. They do like water but do not swim in it as much as other breeds of ducks and it's true the oil gland is not as developed as in other breeds. I raise them for meat and they are excellent.

I have 3 female ducks and 1 drake and that's enough to keep him happy. The smell is pretty bad and when a duck poops it squirts a wet liquid about a foot away. They will dig up your land if that worries you.

Vamp

[ChickenedOut]

Thanks vamp. They sound good but might be too smelly for us. We back onto 10 acres of someones elses land with a narrow water catchment area inbetween. Wild ducks use the land and catchment all the time. It would be good if my ducks could use it and come home to roost (if thats what you call it). Do you think they would come back or just bugger off and never return?

[Heidicat]

Ducks are wonderful,,,but any duck, of any breed, is messy,,just the way they are. Runners are excellent for eggs. Once people use them for baking or cooking that is all they want,,is duck eggs. Best of luck and let us know how things turn out.

[ChickenedOut]

Heidicat: Are runner duck eggs that different from other duck eggs? Because that is the main reason for getting eggs, because we eat alot of eggs and I make alot of my own food.

[astevens4]

runner ducks arent specifically different to any other duck eggs, but duck eggs do differ to chicken eggs - they have darkey more orange yols, with a larger yolk to white ratio. Also the white's are more viscous (thick) which means they hold air better when shipped - which is why they are so good for baking.

Personally i would go for Khaki/White Campbells - they are not too big, not too flighty, dont tear up the place and fairly placid - they lay amongst the highest number of eggs - easily on par witha runner, and the drakes are big enough for a dinner for 4.

However ducks have a MUCH longer life span than chickens so dont plan on butchering spent females any time soon - your talking double digit ages for most ducks with ease!

The main downside is that Campbells rarely go broody, but are great mothers when they do. Drakes are randy but not aggressive towards their young.

Tony

[Heidicat]

ChickenedOut,,,I can't honestly say,,I have only have Runners and Mallards. But the Korean gal that buys them up as fast as the girls lay them, says they are best she has used. I love them as well,,,make the nicest biscuts ever. I plan on getting more runners just for the eggs,,,yes they can be a bit flighty,,,,but the ones I hand raise are just as friendly as any of my girls ducks or chickens.