June 8, 2022

Our New Muscovy Drake

Last November, we got some Muscovy ducks. Years before we'd had Muscovys and really like the breed. After a stray dog killed the last of them, we decided to wait until we could secure the yard, before getting more. Dan made a gate for the driveway and we made a nice area for them, next to the goat barn under our fig trees. Ultimately, the ducks preferred the chicken yard. And once there, there was no persuading them to stay in the spot we picked. They picked their own.

All was well until the drake became sick. We weren't sure what was wrong, but he was listless and didn't want to move around. Dan wanted to take him to the vet, but our usual livestock vet doesn't work on poultry. They recommended an exotic animal vet. Dan called, explained the problem, and was told they called back. They never did. Not wanting to see him suffer, Dan put him down.

Not having a drake left the two females open to attack by the chickens. In the past, we'd had squabbles between the two species, but the rooster and drake always protected their own and kept things under control. With their protector gone, the ducks were picked on by the chickens. One of them was jumped by several hens who pecked her eye out. Dan was fit to be tied and we almost had a mass chicken execution, but instead, he put the anger to constructive use and built a new duck yard. For Mrs. Duck, I had veterinary ophthalmic ointment on hand. We were able to treat it and prevent infection from setting in, but she's now blind in that eye.

We equipped the new duck yard with their house, grazing bed, water dish, and pool. Because it's adjacent to the chicken yard, hoped it would be acceptable. We figured they rejected the fig tree yard because it was isolated from the other birds. 

Well, we lured them in with chicken scratch and they gave it a thorough inspection. They seemed happy to see their house and pool, but after eating the scratch, they flew up to the chicken coop and returned to the chicken yard. We tried several times to persuade them that this was now home, but they weren't interested. One thing about critters, you can't make up their minds for them.

Well, I reasoned, maybe when we find a drake, we'll put him in the duck yard and they'll be willing to stay. When Dan finally found an adult drake on Craigslist, that's what we did. Dan transported him in our large dog carrier, which we placed it in the new yard. Then herded the two ladies in. They were excited to see him!



Then evening came. Would the ladies finally stay in the new duck yard? Nope. And not only that, Big Duck (we name all our drakes Big Duck) flew up to the chicken coop roof with them and followed them into the chicken yard! 

They showed him around and he seems to agree with them that this is home. 

The chickens are keeping a wary eye on Big Duck and run away whenever he waddles near. Since the three ducks move in a group, it looks like our two lady Muscovys will now be safe from chicken attacks. And the rooster will keep the ducks from pestering the chickens. What else can I say besides, "all's well that ends well."

Our New Muscovy Drake © June 2022

24 comments:

Michelle said...

I can understand Dan's anger. Animals don't seem to follow our rules in many (most?) ways, so I'm glad you found a drake to keep those lady ducks safe(r).

Ed said...

Oh, the number of times I have unsuccessfully tried to show animals that the other location was better.

DFW said...

Hope that peace & calm will remain in the chicken yard. Animals sure have their own minds & I think you're right, we can't make up their minds for them.

Jean Ellen said...

Great story! Life on the farm is never boring.

Retired Knitter said...

The unwritten “rules” of the animal kingdom are not so different from the behavior of humans, I fear! *sigh*. Glad peace now reigns again in bird land.

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Me negotiating with any of our animals "But this way..."

Our animals: "Are you even speaking dog/cat/rabbit/guinea pig?" We will be over here, thank you very much...."

Glad you were able to find a new drake and things are going swimmingly (pun intended). Ducks are on the "someday" list.

Leigh said...

Michelle, animals have their own set of rules! They can be trained to do some things, and will do those things if they feel like it, and won't if they don't feel like it. The best we humans can do is to understand their species nature and work within those parameters.

Ed, lol. I can so relate to that!

Deb, so far, so good! Big Duck is still a little timid since he's the newcomer. But he's also really big, and that intimidates the chickens. So everyone is keeping their respectful distances.

Jean Ellen, good to hear from you! Life on the farm is definitely never boring. :)

RT, that's a good observation, and I agree, although I'm a firm believer that humans can choose to not give in to that "animal nature." Unfortunately, humans often choose to follow those feelings instead of exercising self-control.

TB, that's it exactly! It took me awhile, but I finally figured out that in their eyes, I'm the servant. In their view, they have no obligation to do what I want. My job is basically to take care of what they want. In that sense, they have us pretty well trained. The best we can make of it is to set a routine that works best for Dan and me, but keeps them happy. Woe to us if we change the routine!

For ducks, my recommendation is Muscovys, although everybody has their own favorites. Muscovys are a heavy breed and considered perching ducks. They are quiet; they only quack if in distress. They aren't necessarily swimmers, but they love their baths. Downside is that they are flyers, which is why ours didn't stay put. Also, they have a keen nose for clean water, which means we have to keep the goats' water elevated and out of reach. Otherwise, they have great personalities, excellent mothers, and provide eggs and meat.

Boud said...

This is very interesting. I thought all ducks, having only observed wild ones, were strong flyers and swimmers, too.

Leigh said...

Boud, from what I've read, most domesticated ducks aren't much for flying. I may be wrong about that, and maybe someone with another breed can tell us their experience.

Flynn said...

I have Cayuga ducks that I got because I heard they were the "best" tasting meat. Of course that is all subjective, it was just the information I had at the time. But I love mine. It's so sad that your chickens went after the ducks. Our birds all get along fine. I have one cluster of a drake and 3 females that prefer to stay in the fenced in chicken yard and another cluster of a drake and 3 females that refuse to go in the yard ever, they sleep in the goat barn. But all the chickens and ducks "can" get in and out of the yard by themselves when they want to. They mostly just free-range around the property under the watchful eyes of our two lifestock guardian dogs.

I might have shared this story before, but our ducks ran away from home when they were really little right after we moved them outside from the brooder. We were working outside on the property and just turned around and they were all (14 of them at the time) gone. We drove all over the neighboorhood looking for them and decided they must have gotten in the creek and swam down to the river a couple of miles away. Or something bad had happened. We couldn't find them anywhere. Then about sunset we were sitting on the porch feeling pretty sad when all of the sudden I told my husband "I can almost hear them". and then "Wait I DO hear them!". The whole group of them came zig zagging in a little cluster up the driveway and waddled back to the coop. That was it, the only time they have ever left. And that's been a few years ago now. I'm not sure if they decided it was scarier out there in the big world or that there was better food at our house or what. But yeah, they've never left sight of the house since. They don't fly, they are pretty fat now, but they sure can run fast! :-)

Jenn Jilks said...

I came over from your Shout Out from Rain! I cannot imagine how you do all this. I am just so tired.
We're on 16 acres, but only two cats and goldfish.
I am glad the drake worked out!

Leigh said...

Flynn, what a great duck story! Thank you so much for sharing. I could feel your relief too! Interesting about the Cayuga characteristics. Muscovy is said not to taste so much like duck, but more like a cut of fine beef. We find the meat to be excellent, although plucking is really difficult.

Jenn, hello and welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. We just like to be active, although getting older, we're slowing down. Honestly, I can't imagine trading this for any other lifestyle.

Henny Penny said...

What a story. It was fun reading but I have been through times like that so many times. I do love muscovy ducks. We have only one old white female now. She lives down at the pond and seems happy. I have more trouble with the guineas than any thing else. Talk about stubborn! Sometimes I wonder if guineas have a brain. :) Glad your story had a good ending.

Renee Nefe said...

I think that I would be pretty upset that the ducks don't appreciate the hard work you put into making them a nice comfy home.

Goatldi said...

OK it pains me but someone had to say it. I am delighted that everything turned out Ducky. Running and ducking she said.

Leigh said...

Henny, I loved our guinea fowl and was sad to have to get rid of them. But they just wouldn't stay in our yard and keeping on good terms with neighbors is important too.

Renee, I admit he was a little miffed! But we've got a plan and I'll be revealing that next time. :)

Goatldi! lol. There must be some kind of special brownie points for two puns in one comment. :)

kathyinozarks said...

Good morning, I am visiting from Rain's blog. we are in our 70's now we've done what you are doing and loved it. we had a small farm while I was working full time, then retired to the woods in Missouri (from northern Illinois) back in '03 and loved life there too-hunting, foraging, dyeing with found natural plants and more. then a few years ago Husband says lets move to the lake-In our 70's now he wanted less land and no animals to take care of. we moved to an area not to far a drive to an amish community where I can get fresh foods now.
hugs from the lake Kathy

Rosalea said...

Loved reading that little vignette of the fowl yard!

DVArtist said...

Nice post and a story I really enjoyed. I guess the ducks are like teenagers who want to do what they want to do. LOL

Leigh said...

Kathy, welcome! What a great journey you've been on. Lots of interesting experiences, I'm sure. Good choice to move near an Amish community. :)

Rosalea, thank you!

Leigh said...

Nicole, that's a good analogy! True of most critters, actually.

Cederq said...

Aren't fowl weird? Well, to us that is. To them we are the slow, special needs kids....

tpals said...

My neighbor has two ducks. The drake has a mutual dislike with the family dog. It's insane watching them chase each other up and down the fence; one barking, the other quaking.

Leigh said...

Kevin, ha! That's probably exactly right!

Tpals, great story! Animals can be amazingly opinionated.