Our Muscovy Ducks are Houdini in Disguise

I wish I could name the duck to the left Houdini, but I can’t. Houdini was a male, and she’s a female, so obviously the name doesn’t fit.

If it were only one duck that had escaped from our seven foot high brick walled courtyard, then I could see naming her Houdini, however, this is the third time I’ve had to catch a Muscovy and put her back in the courtyard.

I’ve had three different females make it over the wall and all three have wandered onto the front porch.

The first time I found one on the front porch I thought I left the gate open.

We had an incident where the gate, although completely bolted shut, was completely open and our Muscovy flock along with chickens and rooster made their way into my garden.

Dom discovered the flocks ripping through my garden and we herded them back to the courtyard.

Maybe its time to let the ducks and chickens into the big pasture?! They used to be content with food and water in the courtyard, as well as the protection of the walls. Now it doesn’t seem to be enough. Why? Well, the whole property is overflowing with all kinds of beautiful bugs, beetles, insects, lizards and other creeping things. They all eat the flies and the occasional butterfly or lizard, but the gourmet bugs are just too much of a temptation.

So the next question you may ask is why this duck is so damn dirty. LOL Well, she’s been hanging out in the duck poop pit. There are lots of bugs, yummy leaves and other vegetation in the pit.

One thing you may not know about ducks (and chickens) is that they smell horrid! The natural oils in their feathers release a scent that is not pleasant.

The first time I picked up a Muscovy that had flew over the wall, she ran into the duck poop pit, and guess who had to go in after her? Yup…me. So armed in my tall rubber boots, I went in after her. I was able to get her, but not before she struggled, flapped her poop heavy feathers all over me, my face and everything else! I was covered in duck poop, and that is not COOL! Thank god duck poop washes off with no problem or residue.

The second time I had to catch a Muscovy, she was dirty, but for the most part her wings were clean. I carried her back to the courtyard and headed in to wash my hands and change my clothes. Guess what? After two showers and repeatedly washing my hands, the oily duck smell would not come off. GRRR!

This last time, I put on gloves, caught her on the porch before she had a chance to get into the poop pit again, and put her back in the courtyard. Yeah baby, no horrid smell on my hands!

Each time after putting a duck back, I went to inspect the garden. Luckily, they weren’t interested in eating anything in the garden. Our Magpies would have eaten every thing in the garden. I don’t want to take any chances by getting too relaxed about ducks in the garden. I just don’t trust them.

I do know that at the end of this growing season, I will be allowing all the ducks and chickens to work their way through the gardens and eat all the stink bugs and other nasties in the garden.

Here are a few shots around the property:

Re-seeded Armenian cucumbers.

Crab apple tree and purslane

Celeste figs

Unidentified flower/berry. If anyone from the southwest knows what this plant is, let me know. It was too pretty to get rid of. It does seem to be perennial.

Watermelon and arugula. Arugula has been chewed up by flea beetles.

Peaches

Pears

Stella day lilies

The other day Dom cleared the rest of the tumbleweeds. I want a pool back in this area…Dom finally agreed. Now, the trick will be to find a way to make the pool plastic and chemical free. Okay it’s not a trick, it’s more like a miracle.

Below is what the weeds looked like on June 19th this year:

At this time last year:

Americaunas were added to our family.

Tagged as: Muscovy ducks fly