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Muscovy Duck

The Muscovy isn't technically a duck - it's a perching New World species. Red caruncles on the face, nearly silent, strong fliers if not wing-clipped, exceptional pest control, lean dark meat. The 'guard goose of ducks'.

About this breed

Quick facts: Muscovy Duck

OriginCentral and South America - domesticated 1000+ years ago
APA recognized1874
Conservation statusCommon
Also calledCairina moschata, Muscovies
Adult weightDrakes 10-15 lb, Hens 5-7 lb
Size classHeavy
Eggs per year~100
Egg colorCream
Egg sizeLarge
BroodinessHigh
Cold hardinessGood
Heat toleranceExcellent
Noise levelVery quiet (hiss, no quack)
Flight tendencyStrong flier - wing-clip required for confinement
Beginner friendlyYes

History & origin

Indigenous to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Domesticated by Aztec and other Mesoamerican civilizations 1000+ years before European contact. Brought to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. The name 'Muscovy' is misleading - has nothing to do with Moscow; likely derived from 'Muisca' (a Colombian indigenous people) or 'musk' (the breed's slight scent). APA-recognized 1874. The only domesticated duck NOT descended from the wild Mallard.

Personality & temperament

quietcuriousbroodyforagingpest-controlling

Best for: pest control, quiet meat duck, mosquito control, foraging

Eggs & laying

Lay in clutches of 8-15 with a 35-day incubation (vs 28 for true ducks).

Husbandry & care

Indoor coop space6 sq ft per bird
Run space20 sq ft per bird
Roost bar12 in per bird

Space: PERCH on roosts (unlike true ducks). 6+ foot fencing needed unless wing-clipped.

Feeding: Layer 16% + insect supplements. Excellent foragers - 40% of diet can come from grass and bugs.

Health: Susceptible to bumblefoot from concrete - keep on dirt or grass.

Climate: Tropical origin - heat-tolerant. Tolerates cold to 20F with shelter.

Buying tips

  • Drakes (males) are 2-3x the size of hens at maturity. Buy with this size differential in mind.
  • WING-CLIP at 6 weeks - they're capable of strong sustained flight.
  • Cross-breeds with Pekin produce sterile 'Mulard' ducks used for foie gras (not legal in US states for that purpose).
  • Hens hatch their own broods reliably - 10-12 ducklings per setting.

Did you know?

  • Eat 30-100 mosquitoes per duck per day - the most effective natural mosquito control known.
  • Don't quack - the only 'duck' that's nearly silent. Hens hiss when threatened.
  • Hatching takes 35 days vs 28 for true ducks - they're a separate genus (Cairina) from Mallard-line ducks (Anas).
  • Lean dark meat, very different from Pekin - more like wild duck.

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