Best Duck?

[katharinad]

I would say go by what duck looks most appealing to you. You are the one who have to clean up their mess, so at least get paid back by something that says please forgive me and am I the cutest thing you have ever seen.

Unless you are going only for commercial value, which most of us don't. The egg numbers are given by breed statistics so they are pretty much set. Obviously they are also determined by diet, light exposure and if they are overall happy. Stress, like extreme heat or being stressed out by other animals will reduce their egg laying. Another factor is your pets. A cat is less likely to attack a full grown duck, if it can fly or is so large that the cat backs off. I went for Saxony ducks, because I am German, but also their size works well with my 4 dogs and one cat. I also like their looks.

 

[LittleSquidgenHome]

Really even if the breed is extremely rare, there are still birds that will be hatched, from every hatch, that should not be allowed to breed and should be culled. I think this is particularly important for "rare" breeds. They should not be breed for the sake of numbers, it should be a conscious effort to reproduce strong breed traits and standards. So don't feel bad about eating a "rare" domestic duck. You are just doing your part to ensure healthy breeding stock and good genetics.

That's how I look at it.

 

[katharinad]

That brings up the ethics when it comes to crested ducks. Cute looking, but not the best when it comes to breeding. Many breeders stopped breeding them all together. They are the result to a mutated gene, and breeding them can result in ducks with lifelong seizures. So yes, go only strong birds from good breeders.

 

[Wifezilla]

That's why I don't have any crested ducks.

 

[lakota_elder]

Quote:
I'm going to tell Mr. Drakemaster that you said that...... he has that article about the rare bit and the small numbers posted above his fluffy down filled mattress and says I need to remember how important he is..... He'll probably send a hit man out to visit you....!!!!

 

[CityChicker]

Quote:
I'm going to tell Mr. Drakemaster that you said that...... he has that article about the rare bit and the small numbers posted above his fluffy down filled mattress and says I need to remember how important he is..... He'll probably send a hit man out to visit you....!!!!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

LoL... good to know! I am so glad I found BYC!!!

Do ducks use a "coop" like chickens then come out to the ponds during the day?

I LOVE the three breeds I listed above... anyone wanna post more pics of your ducks?

I still haven't fully decided, but it will be a while before I can get them... Where is the best place to buy them... here?

 

[chickboss]

You may reconsider at some point the Muscovy for meat production. They are gorgeous as ducklings and juveniles and don't grow in the crauncling in a heavy way until past the point of butcher. Plus, they are very calm. And like the other poster said they are adept at going broody meaning that 1 or 2 broodies would provide sufficent meat for a family for several years. Another bonus, they are IMO much neater than the Mallard derived breeds and mine dabble much, much less and graze more. For me, that means that they can stay in one area longer before being moved to fresh pature than my other ducks. I like that. Good luck with your choice~! There are several people on here that sell ducklings or hatching eggs, and you can do a google search for breeders of your prefered breeds and check out the big hatcheries.

 

[Wifezilla]

There are only 2 things that keep me from getting muscovies...

1. They fly
2. Razor claws of death

 

[chickboss]

Quote:

Yeah, those claws are pretty fearsome! However, I have been scratched by far more by my Kahkis and Pekins than the 'Scovies becaue they are so much more mellow. I have read horror stories though, so that's just my experience so far. I really need to go trim wings soon, speaking of flying.... Would love to see them do it though, that wingspan on the boys is impressive to say the least.