Duck System On The Synchronistic Subsistence Homestead

   My plan is to detail out my individual systems first, not necessarily how they exist right at the moment, rather how I intend them to function. The reader will recall from previous posts that this is because we are currently getting our homestead ready to move, so things are in reduced mode. So my plan is to go through my current systems. Go through my desired systems, and then perhaps cover some others I have decided to leave out of my plan.

   Now many people when they think of ducks they think of ponds, like the one pictured above. However, ducks can be raised without ponds. I watched a video newbie homesteader talk about how she wouldn't raise a duck without a pond again. She went on and on about the difficulties of having to dump their water, and how they "dirtied their water", etc... I

   It's true that ducks raised with a kids pool bath, rather than a pond, require attention. The water does need to be changed. However, what this young homesteader does not realize, is that ducks on a pond need attention too. They are subject to predation. It's difficult to keep track of their babies. The bacteria count can get out of control in the water, and cause fish die-offs among other things. Having to change the duck's water frequently is a small thing in comparison. 

   The woman, in the video I was watching, almost had the attitude that ducks were "Yucky!". Well, to be fair, they ARE kinda yucky:^) At least, some duck habits are yucky. First of all, they DO dirty their water, because in order for a duck to eat, they also have to have a big gulp of water, which causes them to regurgitate into the water. Then when you add the fact that ducks poop prodigious amounts of slurpy poop, often on one's porch (if they can get to it), you might find room to condemn them. 

   However, as I spoke of in my previous post, ducks have a LOT more to redeem them, than they do to condemn. They eat pests, and weed seeds. They spread that prodigious poop everywhere they go, fertilizing the ground. They produce a LOT of meat, more than any other poultry, in my opinion. They also produce eggs. Most importantly, when free ranged, or pasture raised, they do all of the rest on very little input from the homesteader. I always gave my ducks a small amount of grain. At certain times a year they seemed to need almost nothing. Now on an urban lot, they will need more feed. Out in the country though, the ducks will have more access to natural foods, and protein in the form of bugs.

   My breed of choice when it comes to ducks is Muscovy. Muscovies are a breed that produces more meat, because they are extremely reliable brooders. In addition, that meat is less greasy than other ducks. Muscovies also are a good heavy duck with drakes weighing 10 - 15 lbs, and hens weighing 7 - 9 lbs. Some people consider Muscovies ugly, because of the red caruncle on their heads. They do look different from other breeds of ducks. Even so, their reliability of reproduction, makes them a valuable addition to any homestead! 

  Housing:

   Housing is a big deal with reproducing ducks. First it must be decided if they are going to be raised in total confinement, or allowed to provide for themselves by free ranging. I do not recommend total confinement for ducks. However, at certain times of the year, a homesteader will want limited confinement, as in early spring, they can be quite rough on the garden. I recommend having a decent sized duck house, for these times, with a good roof. 

    Muscovy hens definitely fly. However, the drakes are too big for much flying. They tend to stick to the ground when older. However, I have found these ducks to be definite homebodies. They really like the place where they get their grain. I had a friend who raised them in Southern California on a lot. The hens would fly around, but always land right back in her yard. My own ducks here, were rarely fenced, and they pretty much stayed at home, except for quick trips to, and from the neighbor's pond. This was their safe zone, and they knew it.

   Muscovy ducks are not stupid. We live right on a highway. My ducks were often unfenced, and I NEVER lost a duck to getting hit by a car. Wish I could say that for dogs. They would often go down and swim in our bar ditch next to the highway. Sometimes people would honk at them, afraid they might get into the road. I even had one woman stop and talk to me about it, but the duck never caused her a problem, she was just afraid for them. I explained to her that they were a lot smarter than she gave them credit for.

    On my new place I am planning on going to a barnyard system, with individual houses for the various poultry, but a common run for the different types. The housing must be big enough to contain the birds during seasons when it is inconvenient for them to be grazing everywhere. This will be true, for geese, chickens, and turkeys as well. I will have this barnyard butted up to the garden, where I intend to have a gate, for when they can be used for their various   useful traits in the garden. 

   By having the housing for the various poultry butted up against one another, I can save steps when it comes to feeding, watering, and such. Another useful idea, is a sort of water trough for ducks that can be filled from outside the pen, and drained to an area which can be used to fertilize seedlings, or used in the garden. That way we take advantage of some of the duck "Yucky!"! 

Products

   Ducks, as stated before produce a lot of products on the homestead. These products intersect our  processing gear in various ways. When fully taken advantage of, these products make ducks one of the most valuable resources to the homesteader.

EGGS:

   Duck eggs are an amazing resource, to cook with, and to produce meat. Duck eggs are known for their ability to raise baked goods better than their chicken competitors. They do have a yolk, with a slightly stronger flavor that some might find unusual in say, a fried egg. Also their yolk has a slightly different texture, being a little thicker. However, mixed in an omelet or used in baking they are a fine useful egg. Around our homestead, my focus was on meat production, the occasional duck egg, that hasn't been sat on yet, was just a bonus to my baking.

MEAT: 

   Muscovy ducks provide amazingly delicious meat, all year long. These ducks will reproduce all year, taking a very short break possibly during the very coldest months of the year. Their babies are incredibly hardy. as compared to say, baby chicks. They are pretty darn tough, and if they have their Mama, whose oils they need to make them waterproof, then they are pretty resistant to cold, and wet, and will easily get along, barring predation. 

    As far as butchering goes, I will not go into detail about this, as I am assuming most experienced homesteaders know much about that. However, I will say that for ducks, after plucking, I generally  cut off the tails of my muscovies, because it streamlines the gutting process, and leaves plenty of room for pulling the guts out of the bird. If a homesteader really feels wasteful losing the tails, they can go back and cut them off the entrails later, but for me the tail is a small sacrifice for the ease of butcher.

Our favorite way of butchering is to shoot the duck in the head with a 22, or a tightly pumped BB gun, from close range. This prevents chasing them and upsetting them unnecessarily, which some say can flavor the meat. It also penetrates the brain, which loosens the feathers, and ends their life quickly, and humanely. This method also prevents the scratching of their incredible claws into the homesteader's skin!

   Also, most ducks need long slow cooking, as they are a muscular type of poultry, and usually not in tight confinement. It helps to butcher them young, like almost any animal. However, even then, long slow cooking is best.

   This is probably a good place to talk about cooking farm raised meats. I highly recommend the book, "50 Ways To Eat Cock", by Adrienne N. Hew. I bought my digital copy on Amazon, and it goes over the differences of cooking farm raised poultry(roosters & such) with cooking the modern, soft boned, poorly raised poultry we currently get in the store. People are always complaining that farm raised poultry is tough, but it is mostly because they have no idea how to cook it! The truth is, farm raised meat is by far, so much more flavorful than one can get in the poultry case at the store, but we must stop treating it like the modern fryer!

    Another benefit to raising your own ducks is that you get the highly prized duck livers, and the chef's joy, duck fat at your disposal. Absolutely the best reason to be a homesteader is to eat the best food! Stop settling for a lesser product, when you can have gourmet! Duck liver is used to make wonderful pate, and duck fat is world renown for using to flavor food deliciously!

Feathers

    Duck feathers, and down, can be used to stuff pillows. These are not the wing feathers, which are too hard, but rather the remaining feathers. The easiest way to harvest them is to put them into an old pillowcase, and tie them very tightly. Then just run them through the washer, and dryer. Now you must pay attention to that word tightly, because I am talking the kind of knots that will not come undone in the laundering. Afterwards you can make pillows. If you make them with some good sturdy, closely woven, cotton fabric, then you can sell them to a friend who like the good things in life!

    I noticed while ago that another homesteader also just posted an article on ducks. I have worked a long time on this so I am going to go ahead and post as well, anyway. This will give everyone ducks from two perspectives. These are amazing animals, and deserve many more posts than two.  Everyone have a great day, and we will be back at the Synchronistic Subsistence Homestead Series soon, here @littlebitfarm