The Muscovy Problem Is Flight, So Start There
A Muscovy duck changes the fireworks calculation because, unlike most domestic ducks, she flies well and roosts off the ground by preference, so safety starts with denying her the launch. Bring the flock into a secure pen or house in the late afternoon, using feed to draw them in while it is light, and shut them in before dusk rather than chasing individual birds in the dark. Pay special attention to the one Muscovy habit that defeats good intentions: the bird already settled on a fence rail, shed roof, or low branch for the night. A startled Muscovy bursting from a rooftop perch in the dark can travel a surprising distance and land in a neighbour's garden, a road, or water.
Give Them Perches Inside the Shelter
Muscovy ducks roost, and a fireworks plan that ignores that fact will find them pressed against the pen roof at midnight trying to get up. Fit low, sturdy perches inside the house or covered pen, wide enough for their large webbed feet to grip flat, and low enough that a bird knocked off balance in a panic falls inches rather than feet. Ground bedding matters as well, since heavy Muscovy drakes often choose the floor over a perch. Keep the group together in that shared shelter; Muscovies are quiet birds that communicate with tail-wagging and soft hissing rather than loud calling, so a settled flock gives a nervous bird calm, readable company instead of noise.
Shade the Flash and Secure the Roofline
A Muscovy shelter for fireworks night needs its mesh and roof checked with the bird's strength in mind, because a big drake throwing himself at weak netting can tear through where a lighter duck would bounce off. Cover the display-facing side of the pen with a breathable shade to break up the flashing light, while leaving airflow on the sheltered side, and check that covered runs have no gap between wall top and roof where a climbing bird could squeeze out. Muscovies climb and flap upward along fences, so corners deserve a second look. Water inside should be a heavy, low drinker they cannot tip, deep enough for head-dunking but not a bath they can thrash in overnight.
Keep the Evening Ordinary and the Door Shut
Muscovy ducks are creatures of strong habit, and the most calming thing a keeper can offer on fireworks night is an evening that unfolds exactly like every other one, only earlier. Feed at the usual time in the usual place, let the flock file in at their own pace, and avoid catching or carrying birds that will come in for food, since being grabbed is the kind of memory that makes tomorrow's round-up harder. Once the count is done and the door is latched, leave it latched; every opening admits a wedge of noise and light and risks a bird slipping past your legs. These are heavy birds, and a drake loose in the garden in the dark is a poor job for midnight.
Morning Checks for a Heavy, Flying Duck
Release the Muscovy flock after a walk of the pen for debris and damage, then watch the birds themselves with their build in mind: these are the heaviest domestic ducks, and a night of panicked flapping shows up as a drooping wing, a bird reluctant to climb to her perch, or a drake walking stiffly. Check under perches and along the fence line for feathers or blood, and count the flock against the number you shut in, including looking up, since a Muscovy who did get out may be sitting silently in a tree watching you search the ground. If she is not on the place at all, KinsLe's Lost Pet Alert System sends a free alert to nearby members, and a finder can message you directly about your Muscovy.