Domestic Muscovy duck

Muscovy
Drake, showing the typically badly worn and dishevelled plumage
A lavender duck
Conservation statusGEH (2023): Cat. IV: Watch[1]
Other namesBarbary
Usemeat, cross-breeding
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    4.5–6.3 kg (10–14 lb)
  • Female:
    2.3–3.2 kg (5–7 lb).
Classification
EEyes[2]
  • Muscovy duck
  • Cairina moschata "domestica"

The Muscovy or Barbary is the domesticated form of the wild Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). There are a number of local or regional breeds, and drakes of these are commonly cross-bred with domestic ducks to produce the hybrids called mulards.

The Muscovy duck can be crossed with mallards in captivity to produce hybrids known as mulards ("mule ducks") because they are sterile. Muscovy drakes are commercially crossed with mallard-derived hens either naturally or by artificial insemination. The 40–60% of eggs that are fertile result in birds raised only for their meat or for production of foie gras: they grow fast like mallard-derived breeds, but to a large size like Muscovy ducks. Conversely, though crossing mallard-derived drakes with Muscovy hens is possible, the offspring are neither desirable for meat nor for egg production.[3][4]

A study examining birds in northwestern Colombia for blood parasites found the Muscovy duck to be more frequently infected with Haemoproteus and malaria (Plasmodium) parasites than chickens, domestic pigeons, domestic turkeys and, in fact, almost all wild bird species also studied. It was noted that in other parts of the world, chickens were more susceptible to such infections than in the study area, but it may well be that Muscovy ducks are generally more often infected with such parasites (which might not cause pronounced disease, though, and are harmless to humans).[5]

History

The Muscovy had been domesticated by various indigenous peoples of the Americas well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.[6]: 463 

Characteristics

Domestic Muscovy drakes are about 86 cm (34 in) length and weight is 4.6–6.8 kg (10–15 lb), while the domestic hen (female) is much smaller, at 64 cm (25 in) in length and 2.3–3.6 kg (5.1–7.9 lb) in weight. Large domesticated males often weigh up to 7 kg (15 lb), and large domesticated females up to 4 kg (8.8 lb).[6]: 466 

Recognised colour varieties include five solid colours – black, blue, chocolate, lavender and white[6]: 465  – and eight 'magpie' colours, in which the whole back from the tail to the shoulders and the underside from below the tail to the breast is coloured black, blue, chocolate or lavender, the remainder being white. In the standard magpie colourings the crown of the head is also coloured; in the white-headed magpie colours the head is white.[6]: 466 

  • Lavender drake
    Lavender drake
  • Mating
    Mating
  • White duck
    White duck

Use

Mulards from crossing with a wild-type mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Muscovy is commonly reared for meat.[7]: 78 

In commercial production, it is often crossed with a mallard-derived domestic duck such as the Rouen or Pekin to produce the hybrid known as a mulard.[7]: 97  These hatch in about four weeks and grow rapidly like a mallard-type duck, but to about the size and weight of the Muscovy.[7]: 97  The inverse cross – domestic drake with Muscovy duck – is also possible, but infrequent.[7]: 97 [8] The mulard is reared both for its meat and for its liver, much of it as foie gras.[8]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Muscovy ducks (domesticated).
  1. ^ Rote Liste Geflügelrassen (in German). Gesellschaft zur Erhaltung alter und gefährdeter Haustierrassen. Archived 31 October 2023.
  2. ^ Liste des races et variétés homologuée dans les pays EE (28.04.2013). Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Archived 16 June 2013.
  3. ^ Holderread 2001, p. 97
  4. ^ Zivotofsky, Rabbi Ari Z.; Amar, Zohar (2003). "The Halachic Tale of Three American Birds: Turkey, Prairie Chicken, and Muscovy Duck". Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. 6: 81–104.
  5. ^ Londoño, Pulgarin-R & Blair 2007.
  6. ^ a b c d J. Ian H. Allonby, Philippe B. Wilson (editors) (2018). British Poultry Standards: complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain, seventh edition. Chichester; Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell. ISBN 9781119509141.
  7. ^ a b c d Dave Holderread (2001). Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. Pownal, Vermont: Storey Books. ISBN 9781580172585.
  8. ^ a b Zivotofsky, Rabbi Ari Z.; Amar, Zohar (2003). "The Halachic Tale of Three American Birds: Turkey, Prairie Chicken, and Muscovy Duck". Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. 6: 81–104.