By: Rinke Berkenbosch All domesticated ducks originate from the Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos), except the domesticated Muscovy duck; which is a fully domesticated variety of the wild Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). According to the history-tellers, this duck was first found between the years 1492 and 1514; when Columbus arrived in America in 1492 he saw these ducks at several Native American tribes and the Spaniards found the Muscovy in 1514 in Colombia. The wild Muscovy Duck Under natural conditions the Muscovy duck is a tropical bird that lives in marshy forests. However, they are able to adapt to different climates and habitats. It is mostly found in Central and South America. Although they are the ancestor of the domestic Muscovy, they are not as heavy and bulky. Muscovy hens range from 3,5 to 5 pounds (1,5 to 2 kg), while drakes are commonly 5,5 to 6,5 pounds (2,5 to 3 kg). Wild Muscovy are all black with a green-purple feathering on the back and white wing tips. Some of them may have some other white plumage features. The Muscovy has both claws and webbed feet, so that they can hold on to the tree-branches where they like to roost at night. In Europe and many other countries domesticated birds have escaped into the wild and now breed outside the native domain and can maintain their populations very well.
The domesticated (tame) Muscovy The Muscovy has been domesticated in many parts of the world. The most well known is the pied Muscovy. They are much heavier than most other types of ducks; the weight of the drake is 9 pounds (4,5 kg) and the hen 6 pounds (3 kg). It is a long, stretched, low stance and heavily built duck with a wide flat tail. The body is very broad and carried horizontally. The breast is broad and well rounded without a keel. The long wings have broad flights. The legs are short and the webs are small, meaning that they don t completely fill up the space between the toes. It has long sharp talons on its feet which can really damage you! Right: A group of chocolate and black wildpattern Muscovies sunbathing Left: White drake with typical bare red face and warts In the drake the most distinguishing feature is its bare red face, with several more pronounced warts around the eye and at the base of the bill. The drake has a lot of those warts, but the female has fewer or none. The bill is medium length. In accordance with the feather colour, the colour of the bill varies from dark-horn to rose with a black tip, and the leg colour from black to yellow. Tame Muscovy ducks have retained many anti-predator responses such as freezing, alarm-calling, attempts to take off or run rapidly away from danger, and vigorous struggling if caught. In aggressive and sexual displays the drake will often shake its tail and moves its head backwards and forwards. It may also raise its crest while making a sort of hissing sound.
Muscovy ducks are not noisy birds; the females are almost mute. Left: Lavender Muscovy mother with 7 ducklings by the water bowl Below: in the meadow Housing You best give them as much space as possible, which will certainly benefit their condition. At my place, the Muscovies sleep at night under a simple structure of pallets; an appropriate shelter where the nests are as well. For bathing they are provided with a shallow, flat trough of water. Left: Ducks should always have a water vessel in which they can immerse the whole of their heads. This vessel will vary in dept according to the age of the ducks. Feeding Muscovy ducks are real omnivores, feeding on plants, grass and leftovers, but as well on worms, insects, fish, amphibians and reptiles. They even eat those roly polies that you find under rocks and have a bad taste. Most birds won't even eat them; the Muscovy ducks are one of the few that do eat them. They even eat ants and poisonous spiders. Of course you can feed them extra, but when they have enough free range that is not necessary. Reproduction The male is polygamous and does not participate in nest-site selection or incubation. I sometimes watched the Muscovy ducks at night. They did not sleep, the drakes having sex all night with the ducks. Mature Muscovy ducks start laying after 9 to 10 months. A nest of 20 is normal. The egg is of a whitish to light green colour and weighs 90 to 100 grams. The incubation time is 32 to 35 days.
The female rears the young until they can fly and the ducklings learn from the mother's actions. Above and right: Muscovy with 15 ducklings When the eggs are hatched I keep the duck with her ducklings closed in for some 10 to 12 days before they have free range. Drinking water is provided in flat troughs. The plumage of the Muscovy ducklings is not as water-proof as with other domestic breeds; they can even drown during their first days of life! In their first 3 to 4 weeks I feed them a high protein starter-feed. Later on they change to a feed with 15 to 20 % protein. The ducklings have their adult moult when they are 15 to 20 weeks old. Colours Muscovy ducks come in many colours and that is what makes the breed so extraordinary. Black, blue, brown, white and wild colour and all kinds of mutations within these colours.
Left: Four chocolate Muscovies talking about the weather Right: Black drake Utility qualities Female Muscovy ducks were often used in the past as natural incubators for hatching all kinds of common duck eggs. They are even able to turn heavy swan eggs and successfully incubate them. Farmers like to have them around on the farm because they are such splendid fly catchers. They can catch 500 flies an hour! But most of all the Muscovy ducks are kept for their tasty meat. Especially in France, Italy, Thailand and Indonesia this duck is considered a real treat. Muscovy ducks can be crossed with domestic duck varieties. The hybrid ducklings are bulky and fast growers, but sterile. The Mulard Duck for example comes from a cross between a Peking female and a Muscovy male, often by artificial insemination. Mulard ducks are very tame and are often used in France in the production of foie gras. Above: Black Muscovy duck with 1 day old ducklings, some of them very dark and having black legs. This blood line is coming from Pensylvania; they are real black, not wild coloured!
White Muscovy ducks. Left: the male, right below the female. Photos: Mick Basset Right below: Brown pied Muscovy drake. Photo: Aviculture Europe Conclusion Muscovy Ducks really are the best incubators! Several years ago I went on a holiday and asked my attendant to keep an eye on the three Muscovies; the one was sitting on 30 eggs and the other two on 20 each. All of them were sitting in little sauerkraut vessels. So the eggs were heaped up and one would think that will be no success. However, when I returned from my holidays, the attendant told me that there had been some expansion, indeed 60 ducklings! Attending a Show with Muscovy Ducks is unfortunately rather rarely done. Why is that? Most breeders have trouble catching the ducks. I use a big (carp) landing-net though. It is just a trick, but you certainly have to watch out for the sharp nails!
Muscovy ducks can fly very well, although the flying-capacity decreases over the years, as the weight and size of the duck increases. I am always impressed to see them sitting on the roof of the house. By the way, it is allowed to pinion the Muscovy duck. That is clipping of the 10 flights of one wing, so that the duck will get unbalanced when it wants to fly. Left and right below: Black pied Muscovy ducks. Photos: Mick Basset. This remarkable duck deserves the attention of more fanciers indeed. For more information on the breed you can visit: The Domestic Waterfowl Club of Great Britain at http://www.domestic-waterfowl.co.uk/ Secretaries Michael & Sylvia Hatcher mhatcher@farming.co.uk Copyright 2006 Aviculture-Europe. All rights reserved by VBC