The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: blades on March 11, 2012, 08:26:16 pm

Title: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: blades on March 11, 2012, 08:26:16 pm
Just wondered if anyone knows if Indian runners and Muscovy ducks can hybridise?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: colliewoman on March 11, 2012, 09:39:32 pm
Yes, but I have been led to believe that the ducklings will be sterile 'mules' ;)
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: blades on March 12, 2012, 10:08:52 am
Yes, but I have been led to believe that the ducklings will be sterile 'mules' ;)

Thanks... tried to find pictures of a cross but unable to so far.
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: CameronS on March 12, 2012, 10:57:25 am
was quite interested in this, so had a wee google spree and found this

Quote
Muscovy

The Muscovy originated in Brazil and was domesticated in Europe around 1560. It is known in European countries by various names.
Technically, the Muscovy is a member of the goose family, since it grazes and eats grass in the same way as geese.
 The Muscovy differs from other breeds in the following ways:
It goes broody and will sit on and hatch eggs of other breeds as well as its own.
It flies, and perches on roosts and trees.
If already mated with members of its own breed, it will not mate with members of other breeds.
Where cross-matings are successful, the crossbred progeny are infertile and are known as ‘mules’.
The drake, unlike in other breeds, has no curl feathers in his tail.
Both male and female Muscovies ‘hiss’ rather than ‘quack’.
Muscovies are poor egg producers, and lay their eggs in clutches; that is, they may lay 20 or so eggs and go broody or pause before producing again.
Its eggs take 35 days to hatch, whereas eggs of other breeds take only 28 days.
Its meat has a lower fat content than that of other ducks.

from this website
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/poultry/species/duck-raising/breeds-and-breeding (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/poultry/species/duck-raising/breeds-and-breeding)

but reading that again, it says nothing about not physically being able to.... back to square one
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: blades on March 12, 2012, 11:25:57 am
was quite interested in this, so had a wee google spree and found this

Quote
Muscovy

The Muscovy originated in Brazil and was domesticated in Europe around 1560. It is known in European countries by various names.
Technically, the Muscovy is a member of the goose family, since it grazes and eats grass in the same way as geese.
 The Muscovy differs from other breeds in the following ways:
It goes broody and will sit on and hatch eggs of other breeds as well as its own.
It flies, and perches on roosts and trees.
If already mated with members of its own breed, it will not mate with members of other breeds.
Where cross-matings are successful, the crossbred progeny are infertile and are known as ‘mules’.
The drake, unlike in other breeds, has no curl feathers in his tail.
Both male and female Muscovies ‘hiss’ rather than ‘quack’.
Muscovies are poor egg producers, and lay their eggs in clutches; that is, they may lay 20 or so eggs and go broody or pause before producing again.
Its eggs take 35 days to hatch, whereas eggs of other breeds take only 28 days.
Its meat has a lower fat content than that of other ducks.

from this website
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/poultry/species/duck-raising/breeds-and-breeding (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/poultry/species/duck-raising/breeds-and-breeding)

but reading that again, it says nothing about not physically being able to.... back to square one

Thanks for this.... I already have 3 indian runner boys and to be honest I think they are fab... purely spoilt pets. Yesterday I aquired 2 stunning muscovy girls, a black and white and a lavender. They all look very happy together this morning, hence the question  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: northfifeduckling on March 13, 2012, 03:19:37 pm
if you scroll down here's a picture of what you get

http://www.culdeesbunkhouse.co.uk/Galleryoutdoors.html (http://www.culdeesbunkhouse.co.uk/Galleryoutdoors.html)

as far as I remember it might be the 3rd generation that is infertile :&>
Title: Re: Indian runners and Muscovy ducks.... Can they?
Post by: blades on March 13, 2012, 07:03:19 pm
if you scroll down here's a picture of what you get

http://www.culdeesbunkhouse.co.uk/Galleryoutdoors.html (http://www.culdeesbunkhouse.co.uk/Galleryoutdoors.html)

as far as I remember it might be the 3rd generation that is infertile :&>

Thank you