The Indo-duck is the independent breed of ducks living in the territory of South and Central America and cultivated by local Indians in the 16th century. Opinion that she is brought by crossing of a turkey-cock and a duck, mistakenly. Growth of popularity of breed in the territory of other countries and continents is caused by its unpretentiousness to conditions of keeping.
The musky duck is called in the people more often an Indo-duck. Versions from where that and other name, went a little. On one of them, the warty outgrowths near eyes and a beak located on the head of adult individuals emit fat with a musk smell. Though this fact it is only mentioned in some literary works of old years. For example, in the book Pedro Syesi de León "the Chronicle of Peru" where the Indo-duck is called "clown". The modern farmers who are engaged in cultivation of breed did not happen to feel similar smells.
The same outgrowths on the head of a bird sometimes mislead, reminding appearance of a turkey-cock. Therefore mistakenly some consider that the Indo-duck resulted from crossing of a duck with a turkey-cock. However experts claim that the Indo-duck is the absolutely independent breed cultivated by efforts of Indians – the Aztecs populating the territory of the central Mexico. In these parts, and still wild musky ducks live in Central and South America. Perhaps, "Indo-duck" is just a duck of Indians.
Exterior of Indo-ducks
Generally, not only coral outgrowths on the head of an Indo-duck make it similar to a turkey-cock, but also very broad chest. Unlike other duck breeds at an Indo-duck the neck is much shorter. Legs too short on which the stocky trunk with a wide and long tail is piled up. Plumage of Indo-ducks does not differ in a big variety, generally they have a gray-black color with white impregnations in a neck and a breast, but can be and pale-yellow. The black white-winged breed of white feathers has more and by the name it is possible to guess, where exactly they are concentrated. If to compare domestic Indo-ducks to wild, then the first surpass the relatives in weight. The drakes living at liberty do not grow more than 3 kg, and, as a rule, it is twice less female. At house the self-check weight can reach over 3 kg. It is clear, that such difference is explained by big energy consumption of an organism of a wild bird who is forced to move more in search of food and the place of nesting. By the way, for feature of wild Indo-ducks to nest on the lower branches of trees, they received one more name – a wood duck.
Features of contents in a household
The nesting instinct on trees did not pass completely, domestic Indo-ducks prefer to sit not on the earth or a laying from straw, and on a perch. Only the chicken perch is not suitable for ducks, they need to equip the place with existence of a log. For the rest, unpretentious Indo-ducks can be supported in the same conditions, as well as hens. Feed them, as a rule, with damp bourgeoises 2–3 times a day which part the crushed grass, waste from a table and zernosmes is. With special pleasure of an Indo-duck absorb shredded corn, and here barley in a dry form can be dangerous to them. It needs to be presoaked and given previously together with water. If nearby there is a reservoir, then Indo-ducks will use it, but they do not feel special need for water. And in cold time, is closer to fall, such bathing is even contraindicated as Indo-ducks have no necessary amount of fat as others natatorial, and feathers can simply rime. Indo-ducks have enviable resilience – no infections to them are terrible. Weight is gained also quickly, as well as by the Beijing ducks to whom they are crossed sometimes if they contain only on meat. The individuals received from crossing will be infertile. Indo-ducks are good hens and careful mothers. Only the first day 3 the help of the person in feeding of posterity as ducklings in this plan are absolutely helpless will be required, and it is necessary to feed them violently.