May get DUCKS!!!

I don't think pekins are typically known for being broody/motherly, but not really sure. The WH are and fit your list.

 

Depends on the drake and the rooster -- I had one rooster that shooed the drake around, and another drake that chased the rooster.   Neither one of them hurt the other -- mostly they just ignore the other species.   Welsh Harlequins are excellent egg layers, and I know that the breed description says that they do go broody and raise their own ducklings, but so far my WH's are not showing any signs of broodiness.  My one Rouen hen is making nests and laying eggs . . . but that is just my personal situation.  I have heard of other people having broody WH's. 

 

I would recommend Metzers for the waterfowl -- they will sex the ducklings for you.  It is important not to have too many drakes . . . they are frenzied during breeding season and can hurt the female ducks if there are too many.   I had to rehome many of my drakes . . .  if you were show breeding or keeping them in seperate areas then you could have more drakes . . .

 

As far as being worth it -- the WH's I got from Metzers outlay my chickens AND they lay during winter  AND they are good layers for at least 3 years . . . I prefer the ducks over chickens for eggs.  Main drawback is that the egg shells are so tough, and you might have too many for your needs. 

Welcome to the Duck Side  (quackquackquackquackquack)  

 

I like the Harlequins.  Cayuga's are sweet too.

 

 

 

The Pekin ducks are normally really bad mothers and rarely go broody!  But they do lay lots of eggs and are very cute.

 

Muscovy ducks are the most broody and take really good care of their ducklings, but they may not lay as many eggs as the other ducks you mention.  They also find most of their own food if you allow they to free range, and they don't need a large area of water to be happy, as they don't swim as often as other ducks.

 

I have some mix breed ducks that looked rather like orphington ducks.  They had many eggs, and also went broody easily.  

i have two pekin ducklings that are now 7 weeks.  i have never owned ducks before, but have so enjoyed mine and and so happy i decided to purchase them.   they have brought a lot of laughs and smiles to us.   It turns out that the pekin duck can be "quack sexed", and by about week five we noticed that both ducks had very different sounds of quacks.   Turns out we have a hen and a drake.  Ollie and Milton.  So, its too early for me to tell about egg laying, but i can tell you that i have never met a more people loving, affectionate, funny, enjoyable ducks than Milton and Ollie.  They are definitely docile little ducks and i look forward to see how they are as adults!

Welsh harlequins! I have 4! 1 drake, 3 hens. The hens lay GIANT eggs. I just wish they laid green eggs. I love green eggs. (and ham )


They would so totally fit your bill! I would suggest metzers though!