How to Raise Muscovy Ducks
Relatively easy to raise and care for, Muscovy ducks are a wise pet of choice among anyone looking to exercise insect control in their yard, farm or ranch. Muscovy ducks are not the most popular breeds of ducks for domestication, but they are still capable of serving a purpose, making it well worthwhile to learn how to raise them.
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Instructions
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Keep Muscovy ducks below the age of three weeks old in a small indoor cage, giving them access to a heating pad or lamp (they are incapable of generating their own body heat at this age). The ducklings should not have access to swimming water, but only a shallow dish of water for drinking. The primary diet at this point should consist of one part Egg Maker Crumbles to one part water. Continuous access to drinking water should be provided.
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Move the ducklings into a larger cage at the age of three to six weeks. You can introduce a wading pool or baby pool at this time as long as the underbelly of each duckling is completely feather-lined. At this age, ducklings should be granted "rooting" time in a yard to learn how to find their own food. Additionally, scratch grains can be added to the diet.
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House the Muscovy ducklings outdoors at about six to 12 weeks of age. Make sure that they are kept in a safe and locked cage to keep predators out. Small gauge wire should be used, but avoid chicken wire. Unlimited access to a baby pool should be provided at this time. Ducklings should continue on their current diet, including egg crumble mix, scratch grains and rooting in the yard.
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Release the Muscovy ducklings after 12 weeks of age, as they can safely fly and lift off of water at this time. At this age, the ducklings will know how to seek out their own natural diet, and they may be much more wary around pets and humans. Ducklings should always be released in groups to boost their rate of survival.
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Tips & Warnings
Ducklings should never be raised alone. If ducks do not learn to socialize in pairs or groups, they will not bond with one another but will attempt to bond with humans instead. Muscovy ducklings should not be allowed to bond with humans because humans are potential predators.
References
- Photo Credit Cornell
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Comments
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I love this forum its so useful!
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We had one show up about 2 weeks ago. We are in a camp ground which closes in the winter. I think it is a female as she is sticking close to the embankment of our pond. Could she be nesting? I know they eat all kinds of bugs including mosquitos. That's great news for us as, living in the woods, there is no lack of hungry mosquitos. Will she fly away when winter comes. We live in Upstate NY (Finger Lakes area) and I've never seen a Muscovy duck before in my life. What, if anything should we feed it, or will it be fine on it's own by the pond. I might add that there is a lot of algae on the pond and I know they eat that too.
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we have 6 muscovy ducks and enjoi them they are in a filed with 2goats and like to play in the pond they have a horse stall as their home.
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We've got 2 muskovy ducks here at our offices. They've been here for about 3 months and they did get use to us after a while. I sure hope they stay with us...
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moringamatters
May 30, 2010
Muscovy ducks make marvelous pets, if you happen to have one that was orphaned, as we do. She is over 2, and a sweet girl, who loves my husband, and is jealous of me. If anyone has them roaming their neighborhood, they should feel blessed, as they keep down the roaches and the mosquitoes. The mosquito connection is relevant to their "Muscovy" name.
