Absolutely they can. 20 is nothing. Where mine are it gets to -20 sometimes and they are fine. Generally speaking ducks (and especially gese), are happy in the cold. A cracked open bale of straw will keep them happier than a shelter usually.

I understand that muscovys are from S. America and not necessarily built for such environs, but like I said, mine do fine. They're the only ducks I have right now and I have two pair that did just fine last winter and it was a cold one. Now, I have another 4 drakes that likely WON'T survive the winter. However, that will be because they are on my table.

LOL!
I see!! That's great that they can live in colder climates as well,thanks for your info.
so all that sweating over the dogloo house and insulation ect was a waste of time!? better to be safe than sorry I guess ...I presently have 2 pekins,a male and female,will thet get along ok??

They are fine together. however, if the ratio was 2 scovie drakes, a pekin drake and a hen, the poor hen would suffer greatly.

A wind break is actually better than a small house or coop, there is air movement, but in a small enclosure there will likely be damp air which is colder than the outside environment which could be damaging to the Scovies caruncled areas.

well I got the girls this am,and they're really nice! They blended right in with my other 2 pekins. So the ratio is 1 male pekin and the rest are females.(1 pekin and the 2 muscovies)
one more question..I have them housed in their own separate houses tonight,I have one for the muscovies and 1 for the pekins..will this always be necessary? Will they be ok all together in one house eventually? I would prefer it because they'd keep each-other warmer in the colder weather(that's coming!)
but tonight I played it safe and kept them separate. Don't want any mishaps when I'm sleeping!But I do have to say,the muscovies are really calm and extremely tame for ducks rescued from such a bad environment.hope they like it here!!

you should be able to put them together with no trouble. I put my calls, Wood Ducks & mandarins all together and no hastles.

*sometimes the mallard derivatives and the Muscovies will cross breed and you will get mule ducks. Most often the case with the Scovie drake over the Mallard ducks but can happen both ways.

Thanks! I built one big duck house with a heat lamp ect for all 4 of them,but last night when I tried to put them all in together my male pekin was acting aggressive towards the scovies. Will this resolve itself ? should I just bite the bullet and put them in overnight anyways or would that be asking for major trouble? I really want them to stay in one house together...:(

The hen ducks will work it out. I keep my 'scovies with my chicken without any problems.

FYI
If you cross a 'scovy with a farm duck, the resulting females will lay yolkless eggs.

Really? That's interesting!
better for the cholesterol I guess!LOL

I've toyed with the idea of getting duck hens to produce enough eggs to sell. (G)

"FYI
If you cross a 'scovy with a farm duck, the resulting females will lay yolkless eggs."

Really?

And... do they really make foi gras with muscovies? Hadn't heard that one yet- known for being an ultimate lean meat in fact.
Learning lots on this thread.
The ducks should settle in together alright- just keep an eye on them and make sure they have enough room to escape from the aggressive birds.

foie gras is made through a inhumane treatment when they oversize the ducks liver through overfeeding with a tube forced down their throat. they sometimes die from their own vomit,but usually die after 6 months of this forced feeding from their liver being three times the size it's meant to be.The time spent in these places is in the size of a cage they can't turn around in. Sometimes their feet are nailed down to make it easier for the workers to tube feed, Very sad and inhumane. they use pekins and muscovies. This is what made me vegetarian to begin with.
This is why a lot of people will NOT eat foie gras,and will not eat at restaurants that serve it on the menu...including me. Look it up on the web,you'll see.www.gourmetcruelty.com
I live in canada,and I rescued 2 muscovies that where removed from a foie gras institution,,had no idea it happened here..it's discusting. if you read about this,you'll understand the reason so many have been trying to end this.

i had three ducks i think they might be mallards i dont know alot about them but i bought 8x10 dog kennel for them and a dog igloo for them and put a pool in there for them to play in and the teperature got down to 35 last night. today i found two of my ducks died in the pool they are not ducklings they older did they die from the cold? i do not think they can get out of the pool thier selves

Ducks can drown if they cant exit the water; the m,ales can also drown the female in mating.

I had read this thread a while ago. I AM a cook, but there are a few foodstuffs I refuse to eat or prepare, foie gras being one (veal another)! I've seen a goose liver after 'treatment'. It was the size of my fist. I've butchered geese. I know the size of a normal goose liver. It was not that size. I had a huge argument with a chef (my boss) over foie gras. Like the Nazis I guess - if you can rationalize it some how - you can do it. I can't

I'm curious though, do you know much about the health of the muscovies you brought home? Are their organs compromised from abuse? Are they younger and did they escape most of the torment? As for your original question, we have muscovies - and while we seldom see temps that low - I think keeping them "dry" is important. Just pack em with straw or other insulation and provide a draft/predator free shed and they should be okay.

I had 4 Peking ducks, darn racoons killed 3, can't find any here in west branch, mi, so I picked up some muscovy ducks, hope they can get along, seems like they're going to be ok, hope they aren't male, they are ugly, the Peking is like a dog, has a great personality, very friendly, likes to be held, got to find a couple more, didn't want muscovy, had to settle