The Muscovy Duck is one of the oldest domesticated fowl species in the world, and was kept by native people in Peru and Paraguay when the early Spanish explorers arrived. The word “Muscovy” may refer to the Muscovy Company (incorporated in London in 1555), which transported these ducks to England and France.
It is a heavy-bodied bird with relatively short legs (the drake weighs 10 to 14 lbs and the duck 5 to 7 lbs). It has an erectile fore-crown crest, wart like ‘caruncles’.
They are generally gentle birds (unless the female is sitting or has a young brood). They are one of the quietest birds as the drakes don’t quack, but instead mkae a low hiss and the females only make a short, weak quack. They can fly well and are good escape artists so they will need to be wing-clipped. They do not swim as much as other breeds because their oil glands are under developed. This means that they do not require a large source of water. The drakes can be quite large weighing 4.5 – 5.5 kg while the females weigh 2-3 kg.
They come in a wide range of colours. White, Blue, Black and Chocolate are recognized colours but you can find a wide range of other colours.
Muscovy eggs are delicious with a rich taste and can be used in many dishes. The Muscovy meat is one of the healthiest meats on the market today, being 98 percent or greater fat-free.