Care & how-to
Muscovy Ducks: Breed Guide for Backyard Keepers
The Muscovy is a large, quiet, South American bird that is often called a duck but is a different species from every other domestic duck. Drakes reach 10 to 12 pounds and hens 5 to 6, both have bare red skin on the face, and they hiss rather than quack. Muscovies are excellent foragers and devoted mothers, lay fewer eggs than laying breeds, and their eggs take about 35 days to hatch.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read2 sources
A duck that is not quite a duck
Nearly all domestic ducks, from Pekins to Khaki Campbells, descend from the wild Mallard. The Muscovy does not. The poultry extension service describes it as a separate species that originated in South America, and notes that it has a body like a duck, nests and hisses like a goose, roosts like a chicken and has a plump breast like a turkey. It has gone by many names, including Barbary duck and musk duck.
Because it is a different species, a Muscovy crossed with a Mallard-type duck produces offspring known as mule or moulard ducks, which are sterile. That cross is common in commercial production abroad, but in a backyard flock it simply means that Muscovy and Pekin matings will not give you a breeding line. If you are planning housing, browse our duck houses.
Appearance and size
The Muscovy's most distinctive feature is the bare, bumpy red skin around the eyes and over the base of the bill, called caruncles, which are much larger on drakes. Males are big birds: the extension service gives 10 to 12 pounds for drakes and 5 to 6 pounds for hens, so the size difference between the sexes is greater than in any other common domestic duck.
Plumage ranges from wild-type black with white wing patches to white, chocolate, blue, lavender and pied combinations. Muscovies have strong claws on their feet, which help them perch and roost on fences, branches and roof lines, and which can scratch, so wear long sleeves when handling a large drake.
Temperament and noise
Muscovies are known as quiet birds. Instead of the loud quacking of Mallard-derived ducks, hens make soft trilling and chirping sounds and drakes hiss, especially when displaying or protecting their territory. That makes them one of the easier waterfowl to keep near neighbors, though a protective drake may hiss and posture at people and pets.
They are calm, curious and independent, and spend much of their day foraging. Hens fly well and drakes less so as they get heavy, so many keepers clip one wing or provide a covered run. Drakes can be rough during mating and may fight one another, so keep a sensible ratio of hens to drakes and give them plenty of space.
Eggs, broodiness and hatching
Muscovy hens are not high-production layers like Runners or Campbells. They tend to lay in clutches through spring and summer, then go broody and sit, and they are known as excellent, protective mothers that hatch and raise their own ducklings reliably, as well as eggs from other ducks.
Their eggs take longer to hatch than other ducks'. The extension service gives about 35 days for the Muscovy against 28 for other ducks, and Utah State's hatching table lists 35 to 37 days. If you incubate artificially, follow that longer schedule, stop turning around day 31, and be patient: many first-time hatchers give up on Muscovy eggs too early.
Housing, water and feeding
Muscovies need less water than Mallard-type ducks and are content with a tub or kiddie pool deep enough to dip their heads and clean their eyes and nostrils, which every duck needs daily. A dry, predator-proof duck house with good ventilation and deep bedding keeps them safe at night, and they appreciate a low perch or roost, unusual among ducks.
Feed a complete waterfowl feed, or a non-medicated chicken feed with added niacin for ducklings, since young waterfowl need more niacin than chicks to grow strong legs. Adults forage avidly for insects, slugs, grass and weed seeds. Provide grit and, for laying hens, a calcium source such as oyster shell. Our duck houses collection includes housing sized for larger breeds.
Meat, regulations and is it right for you
The extension service describes the Muscovy as a meat bird that thrives free range, with leaner meat than other ducks, and recommends processing by about 16 weeks before the meat becomes too firm. In the US, Muscovies are also covered by federal migratory bird rules because wild populations exist in parts of Texas and Mexico. Keeping domestic Muscovies is generally allowed, but releasing them is not, so check with your state wildlife agency before buying.
Choose Muscovies if you want quiet waterfowl, good foragers for fly and slug control, a broody mother for hatching, or a lean meat bird. Look elsewhere if you want lots of eggs, a pond full of quacking ducks, or birds that stay put without wing clipping. Whichever you choose, plan their duck house first. Call a vet who treats poultry if a bird limps, stops eating, has swollen eyes or struggles to breathe.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace advice from a veterinarian who treats poultry.
Common questions
Do Muscovy ducks quack?
Not really. Muscovy hens make quiet trills and chirps, and drakes hiss, especially when displaying or defending territory. They are among the quietest domestic waterfowl, which makes them popular where neighbors are close.
How long do Muscovy duck eggs take to hatch?
About 35 days, and Utah State lists 35 to 37 days, compared with 28 days for most other duck breeds. Plan for the longer schedule if you incubate artificially.
Can Muscovy ducks fly?
Yes. Hens and young birds fly well, while heavy drakes fly less. Many keepers clip one wing or use a covered run to keep them home, and Muscovies like to perch on fences and roofs.
How big do Muscovy ducks get?
Drakes typically reach 10 to 12 pounds and hens 5 to 6 pounds, a larger size gap between the sexes than in other common domestic ducks.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
