Indian runners or Pekins?

Am looking at getting ducks for the first time. Have had chickens in the past.

I have a permanent run which is 23ft long and starts off 7ft wide and ends up 9ft wide. I reckon it's about 180sq ft. Nearly half of the run is a roofed walk in run.

I don't have a pond or stream at the minute and was thinking of getting a childs sandpit to fill with water, so it's not going to be massive. I want ducks that aren't likely to fly off though I am happy to clip wings if needed.

I need quiet ducks. I've been unable to have cockerels on the past due to neighbour's complaining. I understand that ducks will be noiser than chickens but not as noisy as a cockerel? I think the main problem with the cockereral was the 4am crowing. As long as ducks don't make a racket in the night it should be fine. I know Muscovies are quiet but I'm really not keen on the look.

I think I've narrowed it down to runners or Pekins. Any advice which might be best?

Would 3-4 ducks be ok in that size enclosure?

I understand that ducks will be messy. Do people with a permanent run tend to poo pick? I currently just fork my chicken enclosure over frequently and sometimes put lime down and it seems ok.

I know the pond water will need changing often.

Thanks.

Runners can be noisy!! Pekins are also but not as bad.

Hello Binkacat

I had both. Our hens were equally the same. Not very loud until the drake wanted something from them and they didn't want to.
Then it got loud squawking and quacking lol
Indian Runners are the better of the 2 breeds if you want to hatch eggs. The Peking had very slight interest in hatching her eggs, she was quite content to let the Indian Runners take over that duty. They are great mama ducks.
We use a plastic child's pool to fill with water for them to play in. It's easy to dump, clean and refill quickly.
If you don't algae quickly becomes a problem and it is not healthy for the ducks.I hope this helps.
Cheers!

Runners and Pekins are known to be loud, but it is more the individual that determines it.
I have runners. They were loud their first year and then quieted down.
I have a Welsh Harlequin and she is quiet.

None of my ducks are noisy at night.

My 2 10-wk-old Pekin ducks haven't made a peep at night as far as I know. They don't want to attract the attention of any predators I think. Once I lock them up at dusk, they get very quiet. During the day, they only quack loud if the dog is too close and they are trying to get away, or when I pick them up, otherwise, I rarely hear them. It's just the two though; no real pecking order to quack about.

thanks for the replies, I think I might get a couple of each!

I think the kiddie sandpit is the way to go for a pool. I can't guarantee I could change the water every day as I work but I only work part time so if I can't change the water one day I would be able to the next.