Control Mosquitoes Naturally with Muscovy Ducks

 

Control Mosquitoes Naturally with Muscovy Ducks

 

The number one reason I keep Muscovy Ducks around my chicken coops are for pest control, specifically mosquitoes.

 

Muscovy Ducks can see in the dark. They are ideally adapted to hunt throughout the night, lowering the chances of mosquitoes infected with fowl pox to bite my chickens.

 

Other benefits of keeping Muscovy:

 

Muscovy Ducks make good pets

Muscovy ducks can make wonderful pets if trained from a young age to accept handling by humans. They tend to bond with individuals, showing happiness with tail wagging and head bobbing. They are easy to catch and pick up, showing affection to their owner by hugging into one, or gently nibbling, usually from male ducks.

 

Muscovy Ducks are quiet

They are quiet birds and it is almost unreal when going from the noise of chickens to the almost silence of the Muscovy paddocks.

Males hiss while females make soft bleats or mews, especially when broody.

 

Muscovy Ducks as home pest control

They are most excellent at pest control, especially mosquitoes and flies, seeking out all damp and watery spots where larvae or maggots breed.

A female Muscovy kept with the chickens wipes out the night insects while the chickens sleep.

You can even keep a Muscovy on the porch, very few flies or mosquitoes will make it past their defenses into the house.

 

Muscovy Ducks for security

Males are territorial and might seem aggressive with their hissing, head bobbing and crest display (raised feathers on their heads).

They will protect what they see as their space, fighting off stray dogs, cats or other threats, even humans. They will kill and sometimes even eat rats, mice and snakes.

If your Muscovy sees your other pets as part of the family, he will protect them.

 

Muscovy Ducks economical eating habits:

They are light on food but heavy drinkers. 

Watering  

Provide a deep dish with fresh water so they can dunk their heads to wash their faces and beaks. They need this refilled at least twice a day.

Despite being ducks, Muscovy does not always like to swim. An occasional bath will do the trick, usually in a dog bowl, baby bath or puddle of water. 

Feeding 

An adult needs half a cup of concentrated food twice a day. This can be poultry feed, corn, or rice and veggies.

Muscovy ducks love their greens and will eat all the weeds and as much grass as they can. They are like goats in this regard and will try their beaks at almost anything green.

An economical way to feed large flocks are cutting banana leaves/stems and boiling it with rice. Feed cooled as a staple or a snack.

 

Muscovy Ducks can fly

As they can fly if not too fat, it is better to clip the flight feathers on one wing. This unbalances the bird and it will be grounded, able to jump up to roosts but not fly over fences. If they are happy with their home, they do not fly away in any case.

 

Muscovy Ducks are long living

Muscovy ducks average around 8 years with care, but can get much older. This ensures a long relationship with a special friend. 

 

Caution with keeping with chickens

 Muscovy hens can be kept with your chickens.

Male Muscovy drakes (and all male ducks) should not be kept with chickens as they may mount them and injure or kill them. Male ducks have a penis that penetrates female ducks while breeding. If this happens with chickens they can seriously injure or kill the chicken.

 

Bottom line is that Muscovy Ducks are entertaining, yet calming to watch. With a bit of care they make great additions to any family pet situation.

 

Written by H Gibson, Author of Chronicles of Han book series

Copyright © 2009-2025 H Gibson Chronicles of Han / Therapy Chickens Belize