Females are noisier the Males, but they lay eggs.
The reason you don't want drakes(male Ducks) mating your Chicken hens is the male part can rip and tear the hens vent. Roosters part can not reach into the Duck hen.
Like Chickens you can sex them as hatchlings to a day or two. After that it's a...
My RIR Hens are aggressive, my roos let me hand feed them. My NHR don't bother me, however they are a bit skittish.
I've raised my RIR and NHR from day old chicks. I got some Austalorop chicks about a month ago. They perch on me, sometimes bowling other off to get the other's spot. I hear...
You could build a floating house or "island" to keep out on the lake. I hear other people do that.
Not many predators can get to the middle of a lake or pond without the ducks noticing, Ducks have much better night vision than us humans.
Something else I'd like to add, if and when you approach your HOA about keeping chickens, I would bring in material/presentation to assure them that they can be kept in a way that will not interfere with what the HOA is trying to maintain and ask if they have any concerns, address their concerns...
defiantly not commercial or breeding. Then considering the Noise ordinance, no Roos. And it sounds like you live in an upscale area.
1. how big is your lot? Is it large enough that the sound a these birds make would not be seen as a nuisance to your neighbors?
2. From the way a the ordinance...
Here's another article on another site. you could make a 'tea' with the listed herbs.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2014/04/preventing-and-treating-wry-neck-in.html
I found a thread from two years ago, don't know if'll help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/star-gazing-in-ducklings-genetic-or-deficiency.1142331/