Mule Ducks or Moulards
Muscovy and domestic ducks (such as the Pekin - which were
developed from Mallards) are very different as they have been
genetically isolated for over 50 million years. They can be crossed
but you get some very interesting results. If you cross a Muscovy
male with a Pekin female you will hatch moulards (or mule ducks);
if you cross a Pekin male with a Muscovy female the progeny are
called hinnies.
In Europe and in Asia many mule ducks are produced because
of their large size, quality liver and reduced fat content in
the carcass. Artificial insemination has been developed in ducks
due to the desire to produce mule ducks. If left to mate naturally,
the fertility is only 20-30%. Artificial insemination brings
the fertility up to 80%. Whereas a Pekin takes 28 days to hatch
and a Muscovy takes 35 days, a mule or hinny takes 32 days to
hatch.
Approximately 60% of mule ducks are males. Some of their characteristics
are like the Muscovy as they are large, quiet, slow moving and
have long claws but are also like Pekin as they swim well, the
males and females are much the same size and they do not fly.
Hinnies are not grown commercially. Males hinnies are much
larger than female hinnies, like the muscovy, yet the females
look like Pekins but fly quite well.
Mules and hinnies cannot reproduce. Both males are sterile
and only the hinny females lay eggs (though they cannot hatch).
If you have Muscovy and Pekin together, the chances are poor
that they will cross but if they do, a hinny will probably be
the result as Pekin males can catch Muscovy females easier than
Muscovy males can catch Pekin females.
We do not produce mules or hinnies but thought you might enjoy
this material on this interesting aspect of duck production and
genetics.
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