I have had a variety of Mallard Derived breeds over the years. Rouens, Pekins, both Swedish, Buff, and cross breeds. I love them all but Muscovy ducks were completely different.
I got my firsts as ducklings. They were skittish, but after a while of working with them all were comfortable coming up to me for attention. They're so much fun to watch and entertaining. Even my few who don't appreciate my presence will tolerate me hanging out versus running away.
They do Fly. An experienced friend told me the males get too big eventually and just the girls do, but my boys all still fly.
They are Frostbite Prone. They're very hardy birds but those caruncles are exposed flesh and that makes them a big frostbite risk.
They have the longest and sharpest claws I've ever seen on a domestic animal! I got so many deep scratches raising them. Which makes them difficult to handle them, especially when they're full grown.
I had mine going into the coop regularly once they were grown, however after a week they realized they could go back out the door even if it was late. So mine stopped cooping. Now mine free-range entirely amd sleep in barns, down at the pond during the summer, or in the yard.
I've seen it said that they don't need a lot of water, which I think isn't wrong. However... mine seem to love it more than my Pekin! They visit the pond for hours daily and swim, splash, and enjoy themselves. They might not mind having a whole pond's worth of water but they do love it as waterfowl do!
The biggest reason I love them is that they are hatching monsters. I had a hen hatch in the dead of winter. Mine have laid nests of 20 eggs with full intentions of sitting. They want to nest and hatch eggs. So much so that they need to. If you don't want/aren't able to handle babies these are probably not the best pick. They're really great with ducklings though, very maternal.
I love how great at foraging they are. Mine have access to feed but they never eat it unless they want a little treat. They'd much rather be out in the pond sifting or in the mud. But this only works the best if you have the space. Mine have a very large barnyard to explore as well as multiple pastures and they have explored all of it.
They don't quack, just huffing and whistling from boys and girls respectively. They are so much fun to watch and they have very strong flock bonds and dynamics. They need to be with their flock and don't like to be quarantined alone.
Overall they're great birds. I've loved having them every second! Personally, if you have the space, a place for them to keep out of the weather, don't mind lots of babies, and can give them food and water sufficiently I think they make a good starting duck breed. Mine are very hands off, versus my Mallard Derived breeds that always need a little help and care. Mostly, they're wonderful birds and the easiest I've ever taken care of!
