Out of 11 Muscovy ducks I started with 2 1/2 yrs ago; I still have 2; attrition weeded out 1/2 of them in the first year, & an overabundance of Drakes meant I had to further reduce my flock ; in the end I have "Plucky (hen) & Daffy (drake); at present they comprise my entire flock... But I digress.
My duck grew up in a pen full of rough chickens; at the time the flock was about 18 birds, mostly adults; it was a tough neighborhood & the then "teenage" ducks took quite a beating from the chickens; they had a large enough number to balance the opposition they faced; as they grew into adulthood; they could dish out as good as they received from their pen-mates. Even as their numbers declined; the now adults were no longer being "abused" by the other chickens; because they could hold their own against any of the chickens except the "Alpha" rooster, & he was respectful enough to not push anything....
I love my 2 Muscovy Ducks; they have great personalities & are very responsive to my voice & seem to know when I'm addressing them; they are not hand-tamed; so as a pickup & hold pet; they aren't; but they are very much spoiled, fat pets... I'm hoping to restart my flock this year & also hoping to get a couple hatching's off of Plucky, as she is a very broody hen; I didn't allow her to "sit" a nest this last year; because we were moving & I didn't want to have to disturb her at any crucial point while she was sitting the eggs.. Hoping to have 12 to 18 ducklings at least this coming year.....
Also hoping to add at least a dozen chicken to rebuild my flock....
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "Scotty" <sc00ter4900@...> wrote:
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> I was thinking of getting Some ducks.I have a big area so I don't think the chickens would bother the ducks? I like what I have read on the Muscovy duck. Whats the best hatchery to use to order Muscovy . I don't want to order 30 ducks. Thanks Scotty
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CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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