Full grown Black Muscovy Ducks are large, glossy, black ducks with red facial caruncles (wattles) and white wing patches. Their plumage can have a greenish hue in the sunlight. The Muscovy has a large, broad body and strong legs, with dark webbed feet for walking and perching. Males are usually heavier than females, with more prominent caruncles and a bulkier build.
Meat and Eggs
Black Muscovy Duck meat is red, much deeper and darker than most other duck breeds. It is firm and lean, with less fat than typical duck or chicken meat. It is also prized for its subtle richness and versatility in recipes. Black Muscovy Duck meat is used for both traditional and upscale cuisine. Muscovy duck eggs are large, with thick shells and a creamy white color. Their rich flavor and sturdy structure make them great for baking and cooking. Female Muscovies generally lay between 60-120 eggs a season.
Temperament
Black Muscovy ducks are generally thought to be calm, curious, and social, seeking out human interaction and attention at times. They are less aggressive than many other duck breeds, and can be pretty approachable, especially if raised by hand from a young age. They use body language (tail wagging, head movements), and soft vocalizations (hissing, cooing), to communicate. Black Muscovy Ducks can also be quite social with other ducks and animals.
White Straight Run Muscovies
We love Muscovy ducks! First they are the best brooders and mothers. Second phenomenal meat!! Shirlock Farms has excellent ducks and customer service! Looking forward to ordering again in the spring. HIGHLY RECOMMEND SHIRLOCK ACRES!! Thank you!!
Kerri Stoltz
White Female Muscovies
I ordered 19 ducks and they sent 20 (one free) on 23Sep2024 but the incompetent USPS didn’t deliver them until five days later on 28Sep2024 and only 5 ducks lived. Sherlock Acres will send me about 15 replacements free (due 10Oct2024), thanks. That is outstanding service! The 5 live ones are fantastic and have grown strong & healthy chasing bugs, eating cut grass clippings & store feed, I will order some Pekings and Silver Appleyards from them this Spring.
Robert Siddell
Black Muscovy Duck FAQs
No, black is actually considered the “common color” for Muscovy ducks.
Wild Muscovies range from 26–33 inches in length, with a wingspan of 54–60 inches and a weight of 2.4–9 pounds.
Our Black Muscovy Ducks cost $11.50 each, for both male and female ducklings. Straight run ducks (not specified male or female) are $9.50 a duckling.
We ship our ducks anywhere in the United States.
Why Choose Shirlock Acres?
NPIP-Certified Hatchery
From the moment a duckling hatches at Shirlock Acres, its health is our top priority. Because we’re an NPIP-certified hatchery, every bird is carefully monitored and tested to ensure its illness-free. When your ducklings arrive, they’ll be bright-eyed, energetic, and ready to thrive in your flock.
Nearly 20 Years of Experience
In 2007, a few ducks in the Shirk family’s backyard sparked a passion that soon grew beyond our fence line. Today, Shirlock Acres ships ducklings across the country, but our heart is still rooted in family care. Roger and Derek Shirk continue to raise every bird with the same honesty and attention they’ve always given their own. Curious how it all began? You’ll find the full story on our About Us page.
State-of-the-Art Hatchery
From the moment they hatch, our ducklings are raised in a safe, well-kept environment where every detail is watched over with care. That attention ensures the birds you receive are healthy, thriving, and eager to settle into their new home.
Our Delivery Process
At Shirlock Acres, we take duckling delivery seriously. Before shipping, we hand-check every Silver Appleyard Duck and only send the strongest, freshest birds. You’ll get a tracking number and a heads-up when your ducklings ship, plus you’ll need to pick them up from the post office as soon as they arrive. We tweak our shipping process for the weather, and if anything goes wrong within the first 24 hours, we’ll make it right.
Shipments go out Mondays (every Monday for Muscovy, every other Monday for Pekin & Silver Appleyard)
Ducklings are shipped 0-2 days old, hand-checked for health
Boxes include soft bedding, ventilation, dividers, GroGel, and heat packs in winter
Tracking number and pickup notification provided
Immediate care: preheat brooder (85-90°F), provide warm water with electrolytes, starter feed, and monitor activity
Live arrival guarantee: refund or replacement if ducklings don’t survive the first 24 hours (photo required)
