Muscovy Ducks

Muscovy ducks - amazing and easy to love - Liz, 4 May 2025

We have raised seven ducks from eggs after mum disappeared. A joy to watch them develop, we now have two males (one alpha) and five females. Only nine months old they are beautiful but challenging at times. They need a lot of space and access to water so they can bathe, drink and wash their food down! Mating can be visually disturbing as it appears quite aggressive - but other than a few bald heads, the girls (hens) seem happy. They’ve definitely split into two teams and the males are protective of their girls! One thing I would emphasise is that the males can become aggressive towards is, especially when excited. Anyone who says their bites don’t hurt has either never been bitten or lying! And we have the marks and bruises to prove it! They seem to think bare legs and feet are fair game so we are careful to wear boots. Despite this we love our ducks dearly and watching them grow has brought us joy (and pain). Living in a rural area we have had issues with Mr Fox trying to carry them off so heightened awareness is needed if they free range in the garden (which ours do at the moment, enclosed at night). Eggs are forthcoming and very tasty! All in all if you have adequate space, access to lots of kids paddling pools and a penchant for chirruping broody girls these are the ducks for you!

peanut the muscovy duck - Edgar, 30 March 2021

Found him in the streets in the country by a pond when he was little duckling dont ask why i got him hes a fully grown male living in the from being friends with a pig chickens and 2 goats they somehow understand him.

Good on a farm. - Linda, 11 January 2020

Muscovy's are perfect on a farm with a lake full of mallards they do not disappear off with the wild birds and return to their own duck house every night, if you have enough space you don't need to clip them as they don't fly far. They love wetland and shallow areas best for foraging but also love a splash in the lake a few times a day. They are friendly and wag their tails when they see you. The males make a hissing huff noise while the females make a squeak noise. Males will bite occasionally but it does not hurt and normally because they want some food from you. They lay reasonably well but because of going broody they should not be compared to mallard types who do not go broody. They make very protective mothers, I would say ferocious if you attempt to touch a baby so best not left with children if they have a brood. Good meaty bird, meat is low fat.

- Michael, 13 January 2019

The most unique breed of poultry I have the pleasure of keeping on my farm. The drakes are gentle giants easily twice the size as the females and this difference in size can be observed from about 4 weeks of age, making early sexing of ducklings very easy. They are unlike any other duck breed and are full of personality. The females lay reasonably well and if allowed to be free range will return to the same nesting place. Muscovies have a excellent flying ability and will happily sleep on house roofs or on the top of sheds. If living free range they will nest from quiet corners on the ground to the very top of a hay stack. Male to female ratio needs to be low as the males are not overly active. Within the flock males and females will form small family units with the males only mating with a few females. The incubation period of Muscovy eggs is 35 days.

Muscovy Ducks - James, 10 October 2017

In my opinion, Muscovy ducks might just be the best duck specie. Their facial appearance may take a bit of time to get used to but they are the most lovable birds. Their egg production is good, around 100-150 eggs a year if you don't let them sit. If you want to have a broody, the Muscovy is the breed you are looking for. Also the Muscovy is the healthiest duck meat on the market, 98% or greater fat free. They come in a range of colours and are simply stunning. They don't make quack either, instead they produce a quiet, friendly hiss. They also make the friendliest of pets, often eating out of your hand. I reccomend the Muscovy to anyone who wants to breed, have their own food or simply a pet for life. upperbrookhousefarm.weebly.com