Best all around duck breeds?

[Dearjenni94]

I’m new to ducks!

I was gifted two pekins chicks for Christmas, and now I want more!

I have several chickens, two dogs, a toddler, and am trying for another baby, so I need social breeds!

We would also like good layers, and good baby makers!
Any suggestions? And best breeders to buy from?

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

Rounens, Muscovies, Swedish Blues, those are friendly....... and Khacki Campbells , call ducks, and welsh Harlequin for the baby makers. Local feed stores carry most of those, normally not call ducks and muscovies but you should be able to find the others there. Meyers McMeyers hatchery, Cackle, and Strombergs all have good reviews, I’ve ordered from them. Hope this helps!

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Anconas are awesome as well!!

 

[fatty and friends]

i have pekin, rouen, and khaki and they are all super sweet (and human imprinted!)

 

[Dearjenni94]

i have pekin, rouen, and khaki and they are all super sweet (and human imprinted!)View attachment 2540194View attachment 2540196View attachment 2540197View attachment 2540198View attachment 2540199View attachment 2540200

Do you worry at all about flying away? I see the rouin/kacki are both fliers?

 

[fatty and friends]

Do you worry at all about flying away? I see the rouin/kacki are both fliers?

my rouen can’t get more then a few feet off the ground but my khakis can both get up to the roof if they really wanted to, as long as they are safe and happy they won’t want to leave and domestic ducks don’t have instinct to migrate like mallards anyways

 

[Ratchnick]

The most important thing if your concerned about performance is genetics. Some khackies lay 320 eggs a year, some 120, it depends how well the line is maintained. If you want a hatchery Metzers might be a good place to start, some of the other hatcheries advertize ducks but they actualy ship from metzers.

 

[CrazyChicken Lady]

@fatty and friends I adore your pictures! My Peking will do that!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I just researched good breeds before I got my 4. They're only a couple of weeks old, but everything I read said Saxony and Appleyards were calm and friendly. And Pekins, of course.

 

[Ratchnick]

My saxonies are very quiet.