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Post by thesurisecret on Jun 20, 2007 19:44:23 GMT -5
I've searched my Storey's duck book all over and can't find the information. When will our Muscovy ducklings be able to fly? They've been stretching and flapping those wings, but I'm hoping it'll still be a while. Thanks, Kate www.thesurisecret.com
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Post by thesurisecret on Jun 28, 2007 0:35:17 GMT -5
I found some general info on-line about ducklings (in general) learning to fly at about 2 months of age. Does that seem right for Muscovies...in your experience? Thanks, Kate www.thesurisecret.com
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Post by muscovyfan on Jun 28, 2007 9:42:19 GMT -5
I have only raised about 2 muscovy ducklings. I don't really remember how soon they started flying. I just looked out one day and they flew across the pasture with the others. It seems like longer than 2 months though. Im thinking almost four. Don't worry though, they fly around more so than away. My drake that I have now flew about one mile away to our local grocery store. We had him penned for two weeks and when we finally let him out, off he went. I was so bummed because he just flew until he was out of sight. I didn't expect him to return but two days later there he was. I guess he missed his girls. We named him Howard after Howard Hughes. He has since gotten so fat he can barely fly over our 4 foot fence. Let me know when the little guys start flying. They are awfully cute! Brit
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Post by Entekuken on Jun 30, 2007 1:46:09 GMT -5
It'd be around 8 - 12 weeks I believe. The drakes can fly fairly well until they're about two. After that they generally can't fly very far or get very far off the ground although they can still climb good. I've had drakes climb over 6' tall fence.
If you want to prevent them from flying you can clip a wing but you really need to watch and not clip any blood feathers. Muscovy see blood & they'll pick until they pull every wing feather off a bird - it's not a pretty sight nor a fun experience, I don't imagine!
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Post by thesurisecret on Jun 30, 2007 22:52:21 GMT -5
Thanks! My three flap their wings and hop around a bit. I'd like them to fly in order to able to escape predators...but...I don't want them to fly away. The ducklings are 8 weeks old and currently free-range in my yard most of the day. Their doghouse is home-base and they don't go more than a few hundred feet from it. Will it stay that way when they can fly? I'm having nightmares about trying to catch them from my neighbor's pool...searching for them in the woods at the rear of my property... How do those of you who let your ducks free-range prevent them from flying away? Thanks, Kate www.thesurisecret.com/Muscovy_Ducks.htm
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Post by muscovyfan on Jun 30, 2007 22:55:20 GMT -5
Mine are content and stay close. Howard likes to hang out in the horse shed or under our utility trailer. They always go in at night. Brit
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