Re: backyard ducks

Aren't muscovies a bit gamey supposedly? I've never eaten one and I'm
perfectly fine eating wild game, so I don't think it'd both me, but I think
some people have an aversion to gamey meat (actually, I'm not even sure what
is meant by gamey flavor, but I know people who complain about it.)

Muscovies are quiet though. All they can do is hiss or wheeze. My
grandfather loved them, but lots of people think the red mole-like growth on
their face is ugly.

Actually, I've got a related question abou the runner ducks. Do these ducks
swim much? Most photos I've seen of them are them penned like chickens or
walking along some fenceline. I've never actually seen a photo of one in the
water. Actually, the odd placement of their legs may make swimming a little
less natural for them, but I don't know.

Jacob

"OmManiPadmeOmelet" <Omelet@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Omelet-FC9B16.11272631032006@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <9QcXf.216$Fc.2@trnddc08>,
"Chris Underwood" <bonnybrookfarm@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Matthew Hills" wrote
My wife and I have been looking to get a pair of ducks for our
backyard,
and would welcome advice on breeds and any other advice/cautions.
Any further advice?

Well, I've got Muscovy - but only because they were given to me. I've
got 4
females and they don't seem to have a problem without a male. They are
very
broody so you'll have to provide a nest and collect the eggs everyday or
they will try to hatch them. For comedy you just can't beat Indian
Runners!
Runners and Khaki Campbell's will produce the most eggs. I would suggest
reading about each breed and deciding which one will work the best for
you.

I won't argue that India runners produce the most eggs. ;-)
I had a trio of them and they always out-layed the chickens in the
winter. <G>

And they were cute.

But, they are noisier and messier than Muscovies.

Your advice is accurate. Find out what works best for him!

I do not recommend mallards or pekins.

Pekins are only good if you want to slaughter them as they are fast
growing and meaty, but Muscovies are even larger if you want a good meat
bird.
--
Peace, Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." -Jack
Nicholson


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