Breed Suggestions?

[HensInTheWoods]

Hi everyone! I have raised poultry (chickens specifically for YEARS) but recently majorly downsized and now for the first time in a LONG time only have a few hens. This leaves me with a nice sized bantam coop and a large coop with run that are pretty open. I live in the woods and we have all sorts of predators, so anything I would get will only get time out supervised. We have some pasture, but our neighbors have a very attractive large yard, so I am looking for something that will not fly/wander (can always trim feathers if needed too).

So I guess my question is what should I get? I have the three old hens in the large coop with the run, but could always add a few ducks to that area...a pool would easily fit in the run. Or I could have a pair/trio of bantams in the Bantam coop which has a small run, so I would need to trim feathers and put up a larger fence for grazing/pool unless it is a small cement mixing tub which would fit.

OH and they must be friendly as I have a young son

Here are the breeds I am most interested in, but would love opinions:

Black East Indies
Call Ducks
Muscovies
Sebbies (I know they are geese, but love them)

 

[HensInTheWoods]

No one has a suggestion? Guess I will call holderreads and see what they suggest and get in their wait list.

 

[nikkisimon0915]

We have pekins and love them.

 

[ChicagoDucks]

Hi everyone! I have raised poultry (chickens specifically for YEARS) but recently majorly downsized and now for the first time in a LONG time only have a few hens. This leaves me with a nice sized bantam coop and a large coop with run that are pretty open. I live in the woods and we have all sorts of predators, so anything I would get will only get time out supervised. We have some pasture, but our neighbors have a very attractive large yard, so I am looking for something that will not fly/wander (can always trim feathers if needed too). 

So I guess my question is what should I get? I have the three old hens in the large coop with the run, but could always add a few ducks to that area...a pool would easily fit in the run. Or I could have a pair/trio of bantams in the Bantam coop which has a small run, so I would need to trim feathers and put up a larger fence for grazing/pool unless it is a small cement mixing tub which would fit. 

OH and they must be friendly as I have a young son

Here are the breeds I am most interested in, but would love opinions:

Black East Indies
Call Ducks
Muscovies
Sebbies (I know they are geese, but love them)

Welcome to the forum!!!!

We've got KCs, a Rouen and some month old Silver Apple yards. Maybe it's just luck, but the KCs we've had have been the most gentle, calm and quiet ducks. We have a great KC drake who never nips the kids, is gentle with the ducks, and just fun to have around. This is our first time with Appleyards, but they are developing some real personality.

I saw an abacot ranger once--a very handsome duck, it would be really neat if someone were to start raising these in the US.

Good luck! I hope you find a good breed for you. It sounds like you have a nice setup.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

Welsh Harlequins! They are VERY docile, love to forage, GREAT layers and make great mothers. The babies can also be sexed at hatch by the beak color. They are beautiful! I absolutely love them. They cannot fly and mine stay close by. I love their eggs!
Here are some pics:




Babies at 1 day old (both females):



Babies at 5 weeks old:

 

[HensInTheWoods]

Thanks everyone! So are the bants typically not as friendly? Seems like no one mentioned any bantam breeds? Those welsh harlequins are adorable!