Best Duck and Geese Breeds For A Pond?

[Bullitt]

Which duck and geese breeds are best for a pond?

I want ducks and geese that will stay close to the pond.

 

[DancingWthDucks]

Pretty much every breed of duck and goose will stay next to a pond- they LOVE water. What other quailties are you wanting from your ducks? Do you want good egg layers, pets or decoration birds?

 

[Bullitt]

Pretty much every breed of duck and goose will stay next to a pond- they LOVE water. What other quailties are you wanting from your ducks? Do you want good egg layers, pets or decoration birds?

I just want ducks and geese for decoration and entertainment, and as I said, I want them to stay close to the pond.

I am pretty sure some breeds of geese eat grass and do not always stay close to water. For example, orchard geese were bred to eat the grass in fruit orchards.

 

[Bullitt]

Any suggestions for breeds of ducks and geese that will stay close to a pond?

 

[Amiga]

Are you concerned at all about predators?

 

[Bullitt]

Are you concerned at all about predators?

I am planning on providing floating houses on the pond for ducks and geese. So I think the only concern would be hawks and owls killing ducks.

 

[Amiga]

You may want to look at some of the threads from people who have built floating houses. I don't think the waterfowl always make use of them.

I would also think about snapping turtles. Predators are attracted to ponds, as you know, and domestic ducks, most of them, don't really fly all that well so they would have a hard time avoiding predators.

Would attracting wild waterfowl do it for you?

 

[PINOAK RIDGE]

We recommend breeds that are designed more like wild ducks, as they tend to have a slight advantage over several "man made" domestic breeds. Heavy meat breed ducks tend to be slow, cumbersome, and unable to fly. Hence could be easy pickings for predators. As Amiga stated, snapping turtles can be a concern for all waterfowl. We've had large snapping turtles rip a mature Canada Goose gander's leg to shreds, before he could exit the pond and they can kill ducks. What predators are in your area?

Ducks that are pretty self sufficient are: Mallards, Black East Indies (BEI) , Muscovies and pet quality call ducks. These breeds can fly, which is advantage if predators are a concern and are excellent foragers. They usually stay close to pond, if there is sufficient food stuffs. They also tend to be excellent mothers, hatching and raising their own broods. BEI are beautiful in their striking black feathers with a shimmering green-purple sheen. Muscovies and call ducks come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Geese are grazers, so they prefer the pasture around the pond. They will bathe and play in the pond and it can provide some safety. African and Brown Chinese geese can make good "pond geese". They aren't so heavy that they are slow, like the larger heavy goose breeds. They may be able to fly/flap short distances and are good foragers. Many can hatch and raise their own goslings. Plus, these breeds are beautiful and often referred to as having a regal look.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[buff goose guy]

Any geese but sebastapols will really love grazing and water! Sebastapols don't enjoy water as much as some other geese breeds, but other than that you should be fine on the geese side. I also recommend geese becuase as adults they can protect themselves against more predators than ducks.

 

[bydhatch]

I recommend any goose or mallards. Your accommodations are not predator proof and this should be kept in mind. As it was previously stated, choose wild breeds so they have a chance. Other options include the previously mentioned attracting wilds or making the commitment to get ducks, build a safe enclosure and let them free range on the pond during the day. Best of luck to ya.