I just bought 5 of then as adolescents. I'm going to be putting them on 10 acres I own in Atascosa County. The property has a well and a pound. They ate quite and are supposed to be able to take care of them selves. Anyone with experience in south Texas?

I live in WV but raised them for several years.  They are more closely related to geese than ducks but are FREAKING DELICIOUS.  They taste like the best filet mignon you ever ate.....not joking.   Best tasting bird species.

I'm at the opposite end of the country and had them on the farm for awhile.  We enjoyed them and they taste great.  We free ranged them and they'd fly around the property every morning at sunrise before landing to go beat the crap out of the chickens then spend the day foraging in the woods.

I am definitely not an expert on these ducks. I know they passed regs years ago that dealt with them and you likely want to check them. I thought they had either outlawed releasing them to free range or perhaps even restricted raising them further because they are considered invasive. I do recall that in most counties in Texas, you can kill them as nuisance animals.

rape ducks.
You'll see...

I've checked the laws concerning them and they vary from county to county. Atascosa is good to go. They actually are considered indigenous to the Rio Grand Valley.

Thanks from my understanding I definitely need to limit the drakes to one drake per 5-6 hens.

You need to eat some drakes.

Yes I knew going in. Because they are such good mothers I'll have to cull the stakes and some of the hens or I'll be over rUnned with ducks.

I've had these for years. Brief rundown:

Quiet - if they quack, something is wrong, or being attacked (maybe just by an amorous male)
Fly - but they fly around, not away.
Meat - Red meat similar to veal. Males can give a good 15 lbs or so. Great for people affected by alpha-gal tick disease.
Good moms - moms can sometimes raise 3 clutches a year, meaning 45 or so babies!
Talons - these things can cut you open like a velociraptor, so the way to get them is push them down, keep those massive claws on the ground...!
Feed - Don't need much to supplement. I usually throw out some corn just to keep them friendly. Otherwise they forage well.

As always, keep a dog around that will protect them, otherwise coons, foxes and whatever else will take them out. Snakes WILL eat ducklings. Kill every rat snake (black snake) you see. They are worthless anyway.

So far so good I bought adolescents one drake and four hens. They should  be laying in a couple of months.

When they have their first babies I'll be transferring some to ten acres I own with a pound.

Chunks of Muscovy breast with sweet onion, jalapeño, cream cheese, and bacon. Grill until the bacon is crispy. Mmm, mmm, Aunt Bea, Aunt Bea.

Attached File