November 5, 2021

The Muscovy Ducks That Almost Weren't

We got our first Muscovy ducks in the summer of 2015. We raised a lot of ducklings, collected a lot of eggs, harvested some for meat, and gave a bunch away. In January 2020, our last Muscovy was killed by a dog and that was a sad day because we really liked these birds. But as much as we wanted to get more, the dog problem persisted. So we decided to wait until we could put a gate across the driveway.

The driveway gate was finally installed this summer, and we began to think about getting Muscovys again. We discussed where to put them and finally decided to fence off the area around the fig trees. It's next to the goat barn and sheltered by the figs plus a large evergreen magnolia tree, so it seemed perfect. Dan kept an eye on craiglist and when he found what he was looking for, brought home three Muscovy ducks: a drake and two hens.

Our new Muscovy ducks, 5 months old.

Home for our new Muscovys next to the goat barn.

Can you see them? They did a lot of hiding at first.


Our first Muscovys were black, but Dan was able to get three in different colors. The drake is a "blue" (diluted black, actually grey), one female is black, and the other is "chocolate," i.e. brown. A very pretty trio.

Their second morning here, we went to their pen and -- no Muscovys. They weren't under the trees, they weren't behind the bushes, they weren't by their swimming pool, they weren't in their little house. They were gone. There was no sign that anything had entered their pen. No sign of scuffling, no piles of feathers. They had just disappeared. Since nothing seemed to have entered the pen, the only thing I could think of was owls. But the ducks had a lot of cover, and for all three of them to be taken by owls seemed odd. 

Dan looked in the front yard and walked up and down the street to check the neighbors' yards. I searched the pastures and the woods. There was no sign of them. They were simply gone. It's always sad to lose an animal, but to have all three disappear overnight was really discouraging. 

After chores, Dan came into the kitchen and said, "I found them." They were behind the chicken coop, gazing longingly into the chicken yard. And why not? It looked pretty much like the yard they came from: a large dirt yard with other birds. Dan lifted up the bottom of the chicken wire and they waddled right in. 



Then he moved their water dish, house, and swimming pool into the chicken yard, and they celebrated by taking a bath. 

The chickens aren't especially pleased with them, but the Muscovys seem happier, and being fliers, I doubt we could keep them out now, even if we wanted to. When animals make up their minds about something, there's usually no persuading them otherwise. Yes, I know some people say ducks and chickens should never be kept together, but our experience is that if each male has his own harem, his focus is on protecting his own. With this system, we've had no serious problems.

There was some territorial squabbling at first, but things have pretty much settled down and each group keeps to itself. We're just glad to have Muscovys again.

22 comments:

LindaG said...

Congratulations and God bless. :-)

Michelle said...

Those are pretty birds. I like the solids better than the pied ones!

Mama Pea said...

Congratulations on getting the Muscovys again that you've so much enjoyed in the past. When we had ours, they very peacefully existed with the chickens (and geese, too) with no problems at all.

Leigh said...

Linda, thank you!

Michelle, they come in so many colors and patterns! I really like these. We've noticed too, that they can change markings as they go through molts.

Mama Pea, things seem to be settling down in the poultry yard, although the Muscovys ignore the chicken house. That concerns Dan (hawk season) so he's going to work on some shelter/protection just for the ducks.

Ed said...

I would love to have a source of duck meat and eggs in my backyard. Unfortunately it is not allowed and even if it were, it wouldn't fit in with our lifestyle of long vacations and few friends willing to take care of things while we are gone.

I am reminded of a time we moved some pigs from one overflow lot to one right next to it separated by three strands of electrified wire. One pig just didn't like it over there and went wiggling through the wire getting shocked many times. I moved her back through the gate. She turned, looked at me, had a look of determination come across her face and ran right through the wire a second time, getting shocked several more times. I decided right then that her determination was greater than mine and left here in the old pen even though all her mates were in the adjacent one.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

I am so happy you have ducks again Leigh - and yes, animals can be just determined about people when they want what they want.

But I can imagine the initial shock upon discovery" "Oh no, not again..."

Leigh said...

Ed, great pig story! A good reminder that ultimately, we humans are never in control. They just consent if they agree. If not, we're out of luck. :)

TB, thank you! It was very discouraging to think we'd lost them in just two days time. And a huge relief to find them again!

Nina said...

Muscovy ducks are supposed to be great at eating flies and ticks. What a great addition to your farmstead. True that, about animals. We had a chook who insisted on roosting in the lilac bush beside the chicken coop. For months she refused to come inside. One morning, after a wild thunderstorm which lasted hours, she was waiting by the coop door. She went inside every night after that.

Nancy In Boise said...

That's great that you found some for your farm and even better that you found them in the chicken run! Maybe they were lonely and wanted some extra company? Hopefully they'll all work things out and lucky for you to have duck eggs! I know they're really great for baking

Renee Nefe said...

I'm glad you found the ducks. I can't wait for duckling season.

Debby Riddle said...

I loved our Roen, she was killed by a dog also, but not before laying tons of eggs all winter when the chickens weren't, and keeping us entertained. I'll get them again for sure. What is it you like about the Muscovy's? Just curious, my only experience is with the Roen.

Leigh said...

Nina, ours have always foraged well, but I have no idea how they affected the fly and tick populations. We have seen them chasing bugs in flight, and catching them!

Poultry (all animals, really) certainly have set ideas about what they want and what they don't. Makes them all the more interesting.

Nancy, thanks! It certainly seems like our new ducks preferred the company. Even if it meant getting chased around at first! Duck eggs are great for baking. Highly prized by gourmet chefs.

Renee, thanks! I'll have duckling pics to share hopefully next spring!

Debby, Muscovys are the only breed of duck we've had, so I can't really make a comparison. They're considered a meat breed rather than an egg breed, although they do lay a lot of eggs. Very prolific and can raise more than one clutch of ducklings in a season. We also like their personalities. And they are a quiet duck. They rarely quack, but they twitter a lot. They are just an interesting breed.

Rosalea said...

Beautiful birds, and it must have been a relief to find them. Trying to imagine what a duck "gazing longingly" looks like! I'd love to have ducks on our pond, but will have to settle for the wild ones that pop in now and again.

Leigh said...

Rosalea, it would probably be safe to say that my interpretation of what they were wanting was pure anthropomorphism on my part. LOL I will say, though, that after working closely with particular species for a long time, one begins to understand their behaviors, personalities, habits, and preferences. Over time, it becomes easier to read their cues and predict their responses to situations.

One thing I forgot to mention when answering Debby's question about Muscovys, is that they are not particularly swimming ducks. They dearly love their daily baths, but they don't spend hours and hours in the water. So one of the things that makes them a good barnyard duck is that they are content with a small pool of water.

Rosalea said...

Actually, I was wondering about that, but forgot to ask. I was thinking, "just that little bowl of water?". Thanks for that interesting fact.

Goatldi said...

Awww Dan is the man with💜

Do you know I don’t have a lot of the experiences the people who send out all the signals trying to be helpful I’m sure. I have had chickens and ducks for 35 years I’ve had them together I’ve had them apart I’ve had turkeys in with them I’ve never had an issue. And I have found like you do they’re very mindful if they want to go someplace they’re going to go up to find a way to go and probably do a lot more damage themselves that way then mixing them from the beginning. What a great little story I just love it wonderful Sunday reading.

Leigh said...

Rosalea, we're using a kiddy pool for them, although they bath in both that and the large feed pan. They do dirty the water pretty quickly, so a smaller pool is easier to empty, clean out, and re-fill.

Goatldi, he is! He has a real soft spot for critters. It's nice to get some confirmation from others with experience, so thank you for sharing that!

Henny Penny said...

Your three Muscovies are so pretty. I especially love the brown one. We've had several over the years, but never a brown Muscovy. Now we have just one old white Muscovy. I would love to get more but Dan says no. He wants wild ducks on the pond and the Muscovies chase them away. Glad you found your three. I really thought you were going to say they were in a tree. Ours could fly really good.

Retired Knitter said...

Nice story with a happy ending. I love that the ducks felt more at home with the chickens - even if the chickens were less than enthused. But the chickens will get over it. I hear chickens are of “little brain.” :-)

Leigh said...

Henny, I'm guessing your Muscovy is just guarding their territory! Most critters are pretty protective of that. Our chickens didn't welcome the Muscovys because of that! But things seem to be settling down now that the chickens accept that the ducks are there.

RT, animals do not voluntarily share! They are pretty possessive about what they think is theirs. Not unlike some humans, lol. I reckon the chickens have enough brains to be smart chickens! The ducks were smart enough to stay out of their way, and everything seems to be settling down now.

Hill Top Post said...

The ducks are beautiful. I am so glad they are settling in to their new home.

Leigh said...

Mary, the definitely seem to have settled in well, and the chickens pretty much leave them alone. So all is good!