Best backyard duck breed?

[m.kitchengirl]

My thought on the rare breeds is that one is not keeping backyard birds for pure economics (commerical eggs and meat are much cheaper and easier) nor for sale. so while the Pekings and Kakhis are great, why not try one of the other breeds as well?

I agree completely. The Anconas I got were about the same price as the more common breeds. I did have to look hard for them, but hatching eggs are much easier to find than ducklings. It is very cool to know my trio is another piece in the puzzle of getting these great ducks off of the critically endangered list.​

 

[pirtykitty]

I vote for Welsh Harlequin mine are quiet.. I had cayugas too and they were pretty quiet... I've also heard that rouens are quiet... I'd love some muscovies one of these days..

 

[kayla1254]

I was just wondering if any one had any idea what breed these ducks might be, my duck is white with black on his wings and caramel and chocolate on his chest, my sisters is pure white, and my other sisters is black with a green back and white on his chest any ideas i will upload a picture
<---This is the third duck that was mentioned, marbles (8 wks) yes duke loves the camera
This is my duck Duck the first one mentioned, Yes hes a charmer (9wks) ---><-- Dukey as a duckling
<----This is the second one mentioned, Cooper (7wks)

If you have any idea what breed of ducks these are, please reply

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Your white one is a Muscovy, looks to be a girl, the black with the white bib looks like a Muscovy too and a boy. The other one can't see the face or body to say.

 

[kayla1254]

Sorry i will upload another picture of duke he was sitting on the chickens nesting boxes ( they are no longer in there with them becuse cooper is vicious to them) is that better?

 

[kayla1254]

Sorry i will upload another one of duke he was sitting on the chickens nesting boxes ( they are no longer in there with them becuse cooper is vicious to them) is that better

 

[FriendOfDonald]

Our Muscovies LOVE the little backyard pool. There was an early problem when a duckling climbed in and couldn't get out, but we've solved that with a little engineering. (Baby duckling recovered.)

 

[WVMHP]

Love my Muscovies! Very quiet and unequalled for raising their own young. The female makes the most beautiful, soft chirp and the male has a very breathy soft call. The only drawback I have found is their sharp claws. They do not require a pond, which is helpful. They do not bother my chickens at all, even the bantams seem safe from my big drake.

 

[Zombified]

I think most people who comment here will be pretty biased, aha. Even I feel inclined to say "Noooo, get Welsh Harlequins!" lol.

In general, what helped me out was looking at the rare duck list that was provided earlier, and then going and looking at the different ratings for each duck. I chose the Welsh Harlequin because they are pretty quiet, excellent layers, and they're just beautiful birds in my opinion. Cayugas were also on our list, and I really like them, too. In the future, when I have enough space, I'd like to have more WHs, plus Cayugas, Saxonies, and Anconas. All four of these breeds really appeal to me and I think make an excellent addition to any suburban home. So, in the end, it's ultimately your choice on what you're looking for.

You said you chose Cayugas to begin with. To me, that means that something about them really stuck with you. I say, go with that feeling and get some. If you can't decide, just get one or two of each breed you really like(as long as you aren't looking at, like, 30 breeds, haha).

 

[GhislaineDel]

We ended up with Magpies when we first got ducks because that was the closest to what I wanted that was available at the local swap. We eventually lost all of them to predators so the next spring we ended up with a mix of Khakis, Welsh, and Buff because they were available and helped out a friend.

As much as I love the Welsh we'll end up with all Khakis because they blend in best with our environment, making it harder for the predators to find them.

Something like that may be a consideration for you too.