Beginner recommendations please.

[chris dales]

After much searching, I cannot find the answer to my question in this forum or anywhere on the net.
I know that different breeds will...

• lay various amounts of eggs,
• can or cannot fly
• are noisy or quiet
• are nervous or great with kids.

...what I can't find out is all of the above information on individual ducks.

Ideally (and I know I'm asking for the world) we would like ducks that are quiet, flightless, not too nervous and also (if possible) be a reasonable layer. But then I suppose that would be the duck that everyone had.
Does such a duck exist, or should we stick with chickens?

Chris

 

[Missy60]

Here is a breed comparison chart from Metzer, they have some awesome info on their site http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm?CustID=967414

I love our pekin and she is anything but quiet. I like the more chatty ducks, and I don't care about duck eggs. My family prefer chicken eggs for eating so that's not a factor for us either. Our pekin lays an egg a day never fail, except for a few weeks when I brought her to my house during the winter.

 

[the duck whisperer]

check out kaki campbells. They are not flighty, have good sweet tempermants and one of the best egg laying breeds. mine weren't very noisy either.

 

[larkflying]

My Welsh Harlequins from Metzers are very reliable layers (except when they go broody) and I believe are among the quietest for ducks -- although no female duck is completely quiet except for Muscovy's. But Muscovy's fly, so that won't help you out . . .

Ducklings are nervous and jumpy in general I've found, unless you spend great quantities of time with them. However, as adults the ducks will love anyone with food, and most will decide to come up and eat close to people. Few ducks enjoy being held but most will get used to food from anyone . . .

 

[chris dales]

Thanks for those.
Am i correct in thinking that campbells are very nervous? - the neighbour's dog is very yappy.
Also, am I correct in thinking that the Welsh Harlequins are too heavy to fly? whereas although the campbell is not keen on flying, it will need its wings clipping to ensure it doesn't fly off?

 

[Tahai]

Cayuga's have all the characteristics you want except for the laying. They lay about 150 eggs per year. as opposed to the egg laying breeds, which lay between 200-350 eggs per year.

 

[chris dales]

How many ducks go well together? I've read books that say different breeds should be kept in different quantities, but it would be nice to here you experiences.

 

[Lute]

I just have Pekins (excellent layers when the weather is warm, we haven't had them in the cold yet so I don't know). Excellent dual purpose duck.

I currently have about 8 together (plus one Cayuga duckling) and am hatching out more ducklings this week. What do you want your ducks for?

In the end, we'll probably have about 30 ducks (culled for meat) before the year is out.

 

[nanaluvsgps]

Muscovies can fly but if you raise them from when they are little they will never leave or fly away if they have food water and shelter. My two girls are the sweetest thing and lay a massive every day, so far mine havn't gone broody but thaats becuase we take the eggs away they are also not very noisy but absolutely love the rain and will make a sure mess o your yard! But their are alot of other duck breeds that are really good aswell

 

[chris dales]

I just have Pekins (excellent layers when the weather is warm, we haven't had them in the cold yet so I don't know). Excellent dual purpose duck.

I currently have about 8 together (plus one Cayuga duckling) and am hatching out more ducklings this week. What do you want your ducks for?

In the end, we'll probably have about 30 ducks (culled for meat) before the year is out.

We are wanting ducks for a couple of reasons. First off being a hobby and provider of eggs. Secondly, we have two very young children and I feel that it is beneficial for children to be brought up with animals in order for them to appreciate their food. We were going to keep chickens, but I think the children will take to ducks better.
We live in a typical semi-detached with a typical back-garden (with a small fish-pond that has lost its fish to the Herron).
So, to answer your question, the ducks will be pets and egg-layers in a semi-detached garden close to neighbours.