Don’s Tips: Ducks

muscovy duck

Ducks

There are magical moments to be shared by families who keep some of the varieties of chickens – black Australorps, Barred Plymouth Rocks or Silkies.

But have you ever considered ducks?  Ducks are fascinating creatures and, yes, they do lay delicious eggs.  Of all the duck species and varieties, one stands out as by far the best family pet:  the Muscovy duck.

These ducks are gentle, tame and very hardy.  They don’t quack either.  They eat many garden pests including snails, slugs and insects.

Muscovy ducks are very hardy and long-lived:  they produce a large egg which is wonderful to eat.  But the eggs are not produced all year – only in Spring/Summer.

The only drawback with Muscovy ducks is that they are a bit ugly around the head: they have areas of red skin around the eyes, beak and cheeks.

The name Muscovy means coming from Moscow in Russia.  As with most breeds of poultry, the name is very misleading.  These ducks actually come from Central and South America.  The scientific genus name of Cairina means coming from Cairo in Egypt.  This too is nonsense.

Nice ducks though.

Hooroo, Don