Wondering about ducks...

Hello everyone!

I have been considering getting ducks and am not sure where to even start.
I would like one or two that are...

• Good layers
• Not too loud
• Good temperament

I also have a couple of questions:
Are ducks free-range or can they be caged?
Can they swim in pools with chlorine?
Do you sell chicken and duck eggs together or seperate?

Any other information would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Danielle

Ducks are tons of fun! I haven't had them very long but I will never be duck-less again. I will say though that you definitely should not get just one. They are happiest with at least one of their own kind. Ours are in a 10 by 15 run along with chickens, and everybody gets along well. Around here, duck eggs sell for more money than chicken eggs. They're quite a bit bigger than chicken eggs and some people really prefer them.
I can't help you as far as breed goes, we have Rouens which are quite loud so that wouldn't fit your requirements. I find them absolutely hilarious but our closest neighbors are a quarter mile away so we don't have to worry about them bothering anybody. Our Muscovy isn't a very good layer, and our Indian Runners are a little skittish (they won't eat out of our hands like the others will).

I should add that while ours are confined, we do let them out to free range as much as we can. They love their free time!

Thank you so much for the information. I greatly appreciate it!

chicklover56 said:

Hello everyone!

I have been considering getting ducks and am not sure where to even start.
I would like one or two that are...

• Good layers
• Not too loud
• Good temperament

I also have a couple of questions:
Are ducks free-range or can they be caged?
Can they swim in pools with chlorine?
Do you sell chicken and duck eggs together or seperate?

Any other information would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Danielle

Click to expand...

Hi, great questions!

My Runners are very good layers, and are only loud if they are running low on food or if I have not come out to chat with them often enough. A neighbor has told me that when they are in their outside pen, they are pretty quiet except when they hear my car coming down the street.

Free-range ducks are at greater risk of harm than those who are supervised or in a predator-safe pen. Mine are quite happy - in the Day Pen when I am not nearby. When I am in the yard, I let them out, but I still have fenced areas to keep them from deciding to wander.

Pools with chlorine are a concern because ducks drink their pool water, and that kills healthy gut bacteria and can cause health problems.
I don't have chickens. That would be interesting, to sell a mix! You might try it! "Danielle's Clucks and Quacks Mix"

Love my ducks. I now have added adopted ducks to the flock - Buffs, Khaki Campbell, Black East Indie, and White Mallard. Love'em all. Each one is an amazing "person."

I have two Welsh Harlequins and a Cayuga from Metzer's. The WH are known to be great layers, and so far my Cayuga is keeping pace. They aren't overly loud, I live in town and they are no worse than chickens, dogs, kids playing. I did have a Rouen and a couple Buff ducks and they got LOUD. My three girls are pretty calm, but I can't say they are tame. They will come for treats but they don't want attention or to be picked up.
I have a 4'x8' enclosed coop (the Quack Shack!) for nighttime and then about a 20'x30' area of yard for them during the day. They also get regular access to the entire backyard (we have dogs too, so we have to rotate who gets the big yard).
I wouldn't let them swim in a pool. Short term it probably wouldn't harm them, but ducks poop A LOT and would totally gross up a pool. I use a small pan of water or a kiddie pool. They gross that up instantly.
I don't sell the eggs, but you can get more for them than chicken eggs.
Ducks are really sweet, but they do take a good deal of care. And you need at least two
Good luck!

I've 5 KC and 5 WH, all from Metzers. they will all be a year old March 1st. I also have chickens, and just recently allowed the ducks and chickens to get together. They've lived in separate pens and coops that are adjacent. I've 5 chickens also, The Rooster leaves the ducks alone and the Drakes leave the hens alone. They now share a yard, and in the afternoon are allowed out of their yards. Our dogs are poultry friendly, which is great, because we make sure to leave a dog, or two, or three..... outside when the chickens and ducks are out, because we do have fox, and have seen coyote more frequently around here.
As for eggs, people around here are not too adventurous when it comes to duck eggs. I put out a notice at the mail boxes, "Duck eggs to TRADE, for home canned goods, baked goods, or whatever". I did not get ONE call :/ My family loves them, so I take a lot of duck eggs with me when I go visiting.

My KC are the bolder, one is more friendly because I had to handle her some, and have her in the house when she had an injury, she bounced right back though. She will eat out of my hand, none of the others will though. I had a knee injury the night before they were to arrive, so I wasn't here to socialize them, then had to leave again when they were a couple of months old, and my husband filled their pool and tossed them their food, and did not socialize with them, so when i got home, it was as if They'd never seen me . So if you want them friendly, handle them everyday, and keep it up.

To me they are quiet, they get noisy in the morning, when they hear me coming to let them out of the coop, or when they see me and think ive got food for them. They are a lot of fun, but also a lot more work than chickens, with keeping their pool t its not too bad.

I would not let them into a chlorinated pool, I think that would be bad for them, yuck. Have a blast with your chickens and ducks.

Amiga said:

Hi, great questions!

My Runners are very good layers, and are only loud if they are running low on food or if I have not come out to chat with them often enough. A neighbor has told me that when they are in their outside pen, they are pretty quiet except when they hear my car coming down the street.

Free-range ducks are at greater risk of harm than those who are supervised or in a predator-safe pen. Mine are quite happy - in the Day Pen when I am not nearby. When I am in the yard, I let them out, but I still have fenced areas to keep them from deciding to wander.

Pools with chlorine are a concern because ducks drink their pool water, and that kills healthy gut bacteria and can cause health problems.
I don't have chickens. That would be interesting, to sell a mix! You might try it! "Danielle's Clucks and Quacks Mix"

Love my ducks. I now have added adopted ducks to the flock - Buffs, Khaki Campbell, Black East Indie, and White Mallard. Love'em all. Each one is an amazing "person".

Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the information!

duckyeah said:

I have two Welsh Harlequins and a Cayuga from Metzer's. The WH are known to be great layers, and so far my Cayuga is keeping pace. They aren't overly loud, I live in town and they are no worse than chickens, dogs, kids playing. I did have a Rouen and a couple Buff ducks and they got LOUD. My three girls are pretty calm, but I can't say they are tame. They will come for treats but they don't want attention or to be picked up.
I have a 4'x8' enclosed coop (the Quack Shack!) for nighttime and then about a 20'x30' area of yard for them during the day. They also get regular access to the entire backyard (we have dogs too, so we have to rotate who gets the big yard).
I wouldn't let them swim in a pool. Short term it probably wouldn't harm them, but ducks poop A LOT and would totally gross up a pool. I use a small pan of water or a kiddie pool. They gross that up instantly.
I don't sell the eggs, but you can get more for them than chicken eggs.
Ducks are really sweet, but they do take a good deal of care. And you need at least two

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Ok, thank you very much!