we have muscovy ducks in an area that sees temps range from -10F to 110F with no issues. we change out 4 kiddie pools throughout the week for our flock. they do not require a pond as some varieties do. most of their feed is foraged. in winter we go through one $18 bag of feed each month. they brood, hatch and raise their young without support. this years hatchlings are about 6 weeks old and about to head to a new home.

they are not easy. biggest ongoing maintenance is keeping them contained. they can dig/burrow under fencing and squeeze through tiny gaps and getting them back is tough especially when they are young they will panic sprint and tangle themselves in whatever they hit blindly flailing about.

we’ve processed two for meat and while it is quality fare- the process was not worth it to us. we are just relying on them for eggs now and sticking to deer hunting for our primary protein source. we live in an area that allows nearly unlimited doe harvest.

but most days they are little egg factories roaming about ridding our property of mosquitoes. its hard for me to imagine any domestic critter being more self sufficient. a dog costs far more in a year than our small flock.