We had a recent addition to the back yard – ten baby duck hatched out last Saturday! Not a bad result from 13 eggs that were in the nest. Unfortunately, we’ve already lost two, I think they slipped into the neighbors yard and became doggie snacks. When I first saw the nest, I was happy, and started counting the 25 weeks I THOUGHT it was supposed to take…only to have the time pass, and me start to think the eggs were all duds. Bummer.
When they hatched, I figured I must have mis-counted the days…But in re-researching some info for this post, I found I simply mis-remembered – it is 35 days to incubation for Muscovy duck eggs 😛 Like a friend of mine says, “Derr!”
So let me introduce you to the newcomers. Here are the remaining eight with momma:
The plan is to raise them until they are eating size, starting around three months of age. This is right around Christmas 🙂 I will probably keep a hen or two out of this batch in order to beef up the production a bit, or at least single a couple hens out to be the last harvested, in the event that the meat is not to our liking. Not likely, since every review I’ve ever read says that it tastes more like beef or veal than duck, probably partly due to the fact that they are a tropical bird, and tend to be FAR less fat and greasy as a mallard strain of duck.
We’ve eaten the eggs, and find them to taste, well, like eggs. The shells are MUCH thicker than chicken eggs, and when compared to store eggs, even more so – you’d think they were made from porcelain when you try to crack them open. Muscovy ducks can lay almost 200 eggs a year. Since they can nest three or four times during the season (possibly more in our area since we never get frost) and hatching up to 20 ducklings a time, with two hens, it is conceivable to yield more ducks than a family of four could consume in a year (Perfect world math – 2 hens x 4 broods each x 20 ducklings = 160! Probably unlikely, but you get my point, it’s almost as prolific as rabbit math!). Regular egg collection to reduce brood will leaves plenty of eggs for us, and still provide LOTS of great meat!
Plus they are quiet (no quacking, they hiss!), are self sufficient, and are great for pest control. I’m pretty happy with my ducks so far, and they will make a nice alternative to rabbit every day 😛
I’ve talked with BlueTang about it, and we discussed the harvesting and dressing methods. I wanted to skin then for the simplicity. Removing feathers is such a CHORE! I know there are automated methods, but I only dress out a bird or two at a time, and unless I can build something cheaply to assist, I prefer to skin my birds, as much as I love the crispy skin. BT was adamant that you must keep the skin on to keep them from drying out. I mentioned the brining method we stole from SB’s smoked rabbit, and BT simply replied, “Well, we’ll have to try both then!” So we will.
Sorry about the late post, recovery has my sleep all disrupted, and the meds make me want to curl up in a ball to sleep, and when they wear off, I want to curl in a ball to die. Luckily, the pain is localized, and the recovery is going well, I believe I am past the worst of it.
Watching the new duck does make for good therapy to take my mind off of things though…I’m glad they joined the family. And I should expand on the topic of Muscovies some day….
Peace,
db
More pics of the fuzzy butts:
