Muscovy Ducks are also known as Cairina Moschata. Some say the name ‘Muscovy’ was given to this breed after the Muscovite Trading Company that operated off the South American coast long ago.  Others say the name derived from the distinct odor of musk which pervades the skin but vanishes once it is cooked. It also is said that the original name was “Musco Duck” because they love to eat mosquitoes. We may truly never know which it is. Other names it is known by are, Greater Wood Duck, Barbary Duck, Musk Duck, and Turkey Duck. Naturally a wild duck, it is the only duck that has not been derived from the Mallard. In fact, its closest relative is the North American Wood Duck.   Ancient records of this or a similar breed have been found in Egypt. This breed's name is Sundani. Their original habitat was South Africa and parts of Central and South America where domestication first began. Muscovies are quite intelligent and very personable which led the way for early domestication centuries ago.   It is not known exactly where or by whom domestication began; during the pre-Inca period in Peru, by early Brazilians, or even ancient Egyptians. It is reported that Columbus noted seeing the natives of the West Indies keeping ducks as large as geese in the 1400’s, which very well could have been the Muscovy. In the 1500’s, Brazilian villagers were reported to be keeping wild-caught Muscovies. It was during this time that the Spaniards and Portuguese were visiting these regions and subsequentially introduced the Muscovy to Europe where they quickly became a popular utility breed and remain so even today. Originally, Muscovy coloring was black and white.  Today however, many variations exist. They can be solid colors; white, black, chocolate, blue, lilac (blue w/chocolate gene), silver (blue dilution), and buff (lilac dilution), and cream. Or mixtures there of; self-blue, dark ripple, chocolate ripple, white winged black, white winged blue, brown and white, silver and white, and black crested white. Other notable attributes to color are; barring-can be in any color other than white, pied-white with any other color having a definite pattern, and the magpie pattern-as seen in magpie ducks of Europe. There is also a white head gene-different than pied and the dusky or atipico gene that can be seen in blue, self-blue, and cream, with cream being the only desired color. Muscovies are rather large ducks with mature males reaching 12lbs. and females 7lbs.  Exhibition stock can reach even greater weights with males reaching a whopping 15lbs., and females between 8 and 9lbs. The average length for males is 31” and females are 23.6”. Their feet have very strong claws for roosting in trees as they are apt to do. They also fly rather well, especially the females, though they are not really known for flying away just flying around. Muscovies are not usually considered a pretty duck, though it has been said that once you own a Muscovy their looks can really grow on you! Their most outstanding feature is the large, red facial wart-like areas and carnucles around the eyes and above the bill. In some cases of exhibition stock, these attributes have gotten so large they get in the way of their vision, but under most circumstances they do not. The drakes do not have the usual curly tail feather of other duck breeds.  But not to worry, you can still easily sex them by 3 months of age, as the males will be nearly twice the size of the females. The sound of the Muscovy is quite different from other ducks as well. The drakes make hissing sounds while the females make a squeak or squeal type of sound. You will never hear them quack like a Mallard derivative. They also do not swim as much as other ducks because their oil glands are under-developed compared to the others. As a result, their wing and tail feathers fray easier. You can fully expect your Muscovy to live for 7 to 8 years.   If you are looking for a pet, pick a female, they are the best choice. Wild-type Muscovies are opportunistic, generalist feeders. This means you can find them nibbling on just about any manner of things, some expected, and some not so. They will munch on roots, seeds, stems and the leaves of a variety of aquatic plants and land vegetation including agriculture crops. They also have been reported to eat small fish and reptiles, crustaceans, insects, millipedes and termites. If they are pen kept, duck pellets or chicken pellets along with whole grains such as wheat and corn and some leafy vegetables will do nicely. They love meat, and will be most grateful for any kitchen scraps you can send their way. The Muscovy reaches sexual maturity at one year, at which time you can expect to begin finding some eggs stashed here and there. They are able to lay approx. 195 eggs in a 40 week laying cycle, and prefer to nest in tree cavities, but will also nest in abandoned nests of large birds. If you would like to provide some nice nesting areas for them, their needs are easy to accommodate. Large wood, duck-like boxes with a 6” to 8” opening will work as well as igloo shaped half barrels or 1’ to 2’ ground nest boxes with either side or end openings. Their eggs are cream colored and they are considered the best of all ducks when it comes to setting. It is not unusual for them to lay, set, and hatch up to 20 eggs at a time, usually 8-21 eggs three times per year. Muscovies have lower fertility rates than most other breeds.  It is suggested to keep 1 male to every 4-7 females to obtain optimum fertility. One can always tell when mating season arrives with Muscovies around. The males are very territorial, engaging in a lot of fighting amongst themselves. These fights can become quite fierce when the males are well matched but usually once they are over, they come away with only a few cuts and bruises. The females rarely become physically aggressive, though they can be seen having arguments over prime nesting sites. Incubation of the eggs takes 35 days, the longest incubation period of all ducks. The females are considered to be very good broodies.  In colder climates, diligence should be practiced as they may not take adequate care of the ducklings, possibly due to the fact that they are naturally adapted to tropical climates. Caution should also be exercised when males are around the ducklings, as they have been known to kill and eat them. If Muscovies are to be kept with other Mallard types of ducks, cross-breeding will certainly occur. These crossbred offspring will be sterile and are know as ‘mules’ or ‘hennies’. Mules are obtained by crossing Muscovy males to other breed females; hennies are obtained by crossing other breed males to Muscovy females. Mules or hennies take 32 days to hatch. Like most ducks, Muscovies have few health problems. They do however, seem to have an intolerance to certain pathogens and algae, resulting in sudden die-offs, even in free-flying feral domestic flocks. Diligent efforts should be practiced in keeping facilities clean. Care should also be given to keeping them from the coldest winds in colder climates as frostbite of the feet; especially the webbing can be a serious problem for them. Other areas of frostbite concern are the caruncles and their wattle; the ball shaped feature on their nose. Muscovies are especially susceptible to duck virus enteritis due to their genetic makeup.   The ease of managing, breeding and rearing Muscovies makes them one of the least expensive ducks to keep. When raised with lots of attention and kindness, whole broods of even wild-type Muscovies can become quite tame and trusting. Besides being a very interesting duck to have in the yard, they are useful in fly control for the farm, and weed and mosquito control on ponds. The Muscovy was and is still a very popular eating duck. Presently, they are very popular in France for their meat. In fact, their meat is the most preferred in the world. One reason for this popularity is a 4lb Muscovy has the highest yield of breast meat, 50% more than any other duck. The breast meat is 99% lean and the skin has 50% less fat than the Mallard or Pekin varieties. The meat can be broiled, grilled, roasted, or sautéed with equal success. Their livers are also used for ‘fois gras’ due to their large size. Even more common on the market are mules and hennies for there is not such a discrepancy in size between males and females making them easier to sell.   Click on the link to listen to Muscovy sounds http://www.naturesongs.com/mudu1.wav     Credits: Feathersite International Muscovy Breeders Association Wild Muscovy Ducks by Paul Dye and Sarah Stai Natural History of the Waterfowl by Frank Todd Ducks Unlimited International Duck Research Cooperative, Inc. American Poultry Association   Article written by Jeannine McGinnis for sole use by the Gander Gab, all others contact the management of the Gander Gab or myself for permission of use.