Keeping Muscovy outdoors in the rain?

[scottischicken]

Can Muscovy ducks stay outdoors in the rain? And how high do they jump and what kind of fencing would I need?

 

[Debbie292d]

Ducks in general love rain but should have some type of shelter to get out of the elements. A large doghouse, for example, works for some that remodeled the front of it.

I actually don't own ducks but researched and found for here, Muscovy would be best as they would be the least likely to swim down the creek and leave our property. They can fly though so I'd clip a wing to prevent that.

 

[Canadian Wind]

It depends on the temperature outside, too. Muscovy are natives of South America and need a bit more shelter in the cold than Quackers lest they catch a chill. They also don't typically swim as much and their oil glands are not as developed thus the feathers get saturated more easily.

As Debbie said, they *can* and do fly, especially the young and the females so clipping the flight feathers is required. I regularly find two specific females outside the pen (I keep forgetting to bring the scissors out!).

 

[Quatie]

Muscovies are not the biggest fans of rain. Mine usually stand like unhappy statues till it is over. It would be good to have some sort of over head protection from rain. That could be as simple as a tree. Mine often hang out under the trees till the rain calms down then head out to forage.

 

[Canadian Wind]

There is nothing sadder that a wet Muscovy in the rain.

 

[Quatie]

There is nothing sadder that a wet Muscovy in the rain.

There really isn't. Especially compared to other ducks

 

[scottischicken]

I don’t have any Muscovy ducks yet but I’m thinking about getting a pair of young muscovies.

1) How long do they have to be kept indoors until I can let them live outdoors? I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area.

2) They will live in a former stone patio that will have a 4ft tall fence around the perimeter. Is it okay to spray soap (Dawn dishwashing soap) and water on their habitat to remove the poop? Or do I need to pick the ducks up and place them in a separate container while cleaning?

3) Will the following animals eat my Muscovy ducks:
Raccoons
Opossums
Skunks
Rats

4) If the predators listed above are dangerous how do I train my ducks to go inside a dog house in the evening?

 

[Quatie]

I don’t have any Muscovy ducks yet but I’m thinking about getting a pair of young muscovies.

1) How long do they have to be kept indoors until I can let them live outdoors? I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area.

2) They will live in a former stone patio that will have a 4ft tall fence around the perimeter. Is it okay to spray soap (Dawn dishwashing soap) and water on their habitat to remove the poop? Or do I need to pick the ducks up and place them in a separate container while cleaning?

3) Will the following animals eat my Muscovy ducks:
Raccoons
Opossums
Skunks
Rats

4) If the predators listed above are dangerous how do I train my ducks to go inside a dog house in the evening?

1) they most likely can got outside full time at about 4 weeks of age. It doesn't get too cold in SF. Otherwise it is usually recommended to wait till they are fully feathered before putting them out full in temps below 60 degrees.

2) with ducks and cleaning, you have to be careful with what you use. They will drink anything in any puddle, no matter how small the puddle. Most of the stuff, I just spray off with water or use something like oxine to clean with. Otherwise, I usually clean things with soap outside my duck area. You are also going to want to have a nice layer of bedding down on the ground, so that may effect how you think about cleaning them. Being on pavement all the time will be hard on their feet and can lead to health issues.

3) yes to all of those. Rats are more likely to kill ducklings, but they can potentially injure ducks. Raccoons are an especially crafty predator that will bite off heads through fencing. They tend to be more prevalent in cities too.

4) you can't really train them to go in at night. You can put treats in the coop at night to get them to go in. Muscovies are more likely to put themselves to bed at night, but even they like to be difficult at times. Ducks are creatures of habit.

You should also look at the laws regarding ducks in SF. I don't remember them, but I looked up a while back for a friend who lives there. There is rules on where you can put your coop, like it has to be so far away from the edge of the property. And I can't remember if you need to register them.

 

[Debbie292d]

There is nothing sadder that a wet Muscovy in the rain.

Then they'd fit right in with my silkies!