Branching out into ducks!

[Burgs]

I've had chicken for many many years and I am thinking of branching out into ducks! I know the basics of duck keeping but I know nothing of the breeds!! I have recently acquired a nice bit of extra garden space that I think will be excellent for ducks!
Iwould like ducks that are A. Fair layers (doesn't have to be massive amount of eggs as long as it produces a fair amount 150-190 a year roughly will do fine.
B. Quiet (I keep chickens and I have roosters but I don't want to add to the noise my flock already make!)
C.look after themselves I.e good foragers (I work 12 hour days I don't want to have to keep checking up on them all the time)

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[Burgs]

Flightless would also be handy!!

 

[TLWR]

Here's a link you may find handy in getting info on breeds
http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm?CustID=117105

 

[jducour]

I have two breeds of egg layers - Runners and Welsh Harlequins. Both breeds are giving me an egg a day, and have every day except for when they molted. The Runners are a bit noisier that the Welsh Harlequin, but only when they are alarmed by something. As far as noisiness, I think it a completely individual trait, and not necessarily something specific to breed. The Runners lay an impressive amount of eggs for their size. They weigh half as much as my other layers, and they eat much less as well. They also take up less space My Silver Runner gives me the most beautiful blue/green eggs - in fact - she gave me two beautiful eggs today! Sometimes they will lay in the evening and the morning, so it's like a bonus egg My petite chocolate runner only weighs 2 lbs, but gives me one large white egg a day, and has every day for three months running.



Here is my 4 girls, all wonderful layers.



This is what they give us in less than a week. More than enough for my family!

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I've had chicken for many many years and I am thinking of branching out into ducks! I know the basics of duck keeping but I know nothing of the breeds!! I have recently acquired a nice bit of extra garden space that I think will be excellent for ducks!
Iwould like ducks that are A. Fair layers (doesn't have to be massive amount of eggs as long as it produces a fair amount 150-190 a year roughly will do fine.
B. Quiet (I keep chickens and I have roosters but I don't want to add to the noise my flock already make!)
C.look after themselves I.e good foragers (I work 12 hour days I don't want to have to keep checking up on them all the time)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Are you looking to do this right away or next spring? Have you researched what's available there? Some ducks that are available in the US aren't widely available in England or regions other than the US. If you know what's available there in general, there are probably many people on BYC who could give you their personal experiences with those breeds. The Metzer link you were sent is a good starting point. It doesn't list every single domestic duck, only the ones they sell, but you might want to look into what your potential choices are before looking over broad lists of every breed.

 

[NatureChica]

I'm in the same boat. I'm doing the research before I just jump in.

 

[NatureChica]

My husband mocks me but I make a pro/con list for most everything and compare items (animals, cars, New house we just bought, electronics...). I'm always happy with the end result. Thanks for the link. I know which three breeds would suit me best.