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