Characteristics of Muscovy Ducks

Commonly found in urban parks near ponds and lakes, the distinctive Muscovy ducks are larger than the average duck. The males have red warty bumps on their face. Wild populations of Muscovy ducks are native to tropical areas of Central and South America while domestic Muscovy ducks are common throughout the United States. They are unrelated to other domestic ducks.

  1. Coloring

    • Wild Muscovy ducks are black and white. Their back is a glossy greenish black. Large white patches are on the wings. Domestic Muscovy ducks have a wide range of colors. They may be black, blue, chocolate, lavender or white. The females have small or no red facial skin and their coloring may be more drab than the coloring of the males.

    Size

    • Male Muscovy ducks weigh 10 to 15 pounds. The females average 5 to 7 pounds but some weigh as much as 10 pounds. If raised for meat, Muscovy ducks reach about 11 pounds at 12 weeks of age.

    Characteristics

    • Muscovy ducks do not quack. The males hiss and the females have a quiet coo. Muscovy ducks have sharp, strong claws and long, flat tails. They do not swim as much as other breeds of ducks because they have underdeveloped oil glands.

    Nests

    • Muscovy duck females set three times per year. They lay 8 to 21 eggs in a shallow ground nest and incubate the eggs for 35 days. The females are considered to be good setters. The newly hatched chicks are yellow with light brown on the tail and wings.

    Brooding

    • Muscovy ducklings may be raised in a brooder. They require a temperature of 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the first three days after hatching. The temperature is gradually lowered to 82 degrees by the end of the first week and to 63 to 70 degrees by the fourth week.

    Raising Domestic Muscovy Ducks

    • Domestic ducks may be raised in houses with outside runs or in litter floor houses. They require 4 to 6 square feet of pen space per bird. A nest box is provided for every four to five females.

    Domestic Muscovey Nutrition

    • Domestic Muscovy ducks consume 22 percent protein poultry crumbles until three weeks of age. Their protein requirement gradually decreases until it reaches 16 percent at seven to eight weeks of age. The feed consists of grains, protein supplements, vitamins and minerals.

    Wild Muscovey Nutrition

    • Wild Muscovy ducks have a varied diet. They consume vegetation such as seeds, roots, stems and leaves of aquatic plants. They also eat fish, reptiles and insects.