Marvelous Muscovies

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For folks accustomed to the noisy quacking of a flock of Pekins or mallards, the vocalizations of the Muscovy may come as a pleasant surprise. Drakes emit a breathy whistle while the females normally make a soft squealing noise unless they’re frightened or angry. This can be an advantageous trait if you have close neighbors who don’t appreciate ducks as much as you do.

Brian Witt of Cassatt, S.C., secretary/treasurer of the International Muscovy Breeders Association, was drawn to the breed in part by their size and soft calls. He and his wife, Wanda, keep several hundred Muscovies for showing and selective breeding, and they sell many for the table.

“I like big ducks — the bigger the better,” he says. “Muscovies also are quiet and not as messy as other duck breeds, and they’re the best mothers for setting. They also take care of themselves and don’t need much human intervention.”

Although these waterfowl relish swimming when given the opportunity, they tend to be more terrestrial than other domestic ducks and their feathers seem to have less waterproofing. As a consequence, a pond isn’t necessary for Muscovies and can even pose a hazard during icy winters, when these ducks of tropical origin may become chilled or suffer frostbite.

When considering whether to add Muscovies to your poultry menagerie, keep in mind that, like most waterfowl, they are messy. Ducks produce copious soft, smelly droppings (which do a great job of fertilizing the grass or garden) and they scatter feathers far and wide during molting periods. Also, the Muscovy’s large size, strong wings and sharp claws can make capturing and holding the birds a challenge. Duck-catchers should wear heavy gloves and a long-sleeved jacket for protection, and always hold the bird’s beak away from the face. To avoid injuring your ducks, never catch them by the legs.

Duck eggs can be used in cooking just like chicken eggs; they have a somewhat firmer texture when cooked (making them ideal for angel food cakes) and a slightly higher cholesterol content.

Although Muscovies don’t produce as many eggs or ducklings as most mallard derivatives, their meat fetches more per pound and is leaner due to the species’ terrestrial nature. “People are often rather dismayed that I would eat my Muscovies, since I enjoy watching them so much,” de Wit says. “My answer to them is that I have provided my animals with the happiest possible duck life. I slaughter them humanely and when all is said and done, I know that the Muscovies I’m consuming are far better off than any commercially produced chicken, duck or turkey, most of which are raised under inhumane conditions.”

Basic Muscovy Care

Enthusiasts value this species for its self-reliance, but Muscovies do need proper daily care to thrive and reproduce. Many duck raisers purchase a balanced commercial diet formulated for waterfowl or poultry; others create their own concentrated feed from various grains. The Witts do both: They mix their own feed from grains and sunflower seeds, and serve unmedicated layer pellets to their adult ducks at laying time. “Medicated feeds aren’t necessary for ducks and can cause health problems,” Brian Witt says.

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