Marvelous Muscovies

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Never rear a duckling alone, de Wit advises, citing her African-born foundation drake, Couak, who grew up without other ducks. “He imprinted on me,” she says. “Never having to interact with his species while growing up, he was incapable of doing so as an adult. He became vicious and bad-tempered, attacking everyone in my family constantly.”

If you want to raise ducks who will become attached to you, try getting three or four to rear together, de Wit suggests. The ducklings will grow up imprinted on you and others of their own kind, plus they’ll keep each other company when you’re not home.

Before you know it, you’ll be treated to one of the most satisfying of rural scenes: a little flock of tail-wagging Muscovies rooting through the emerald grass for bugs, perhaps with a glistening string of slug slime dripping from their crimson beaks. Now that is a lovely sight.

Cherie Langlois is a freelance writer who enjoys raising Muscovy ducks and watching their antics on her Washington state farm.

Broody Muscovies

Choosing a secluded spot, a female Muscovy usually makes a simple hollow in the straw or dirt for a nest, and lines it with her own soft down. (If available, she’ll use a box or another cavity). She’ll lay a clutch of up to 20 large, creamy eggs and incubate them for approximately 35 days, only leaving the nest briefly to eat and drink. When her downy ducklings hatch, the duck gathers them under her wings and breast to keep them warm and safe while they’re sleeping. She leads them on forays to search for small insects and new grass, and she’ll bravely try to protect them from perceived predators — including you. Because female Muscovies make such marvelous setters and diligent mothers, they’re used to hatch-out other species of waterfowl and poultry. They’ll even set on geese and swan eggs!

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