cathy only

[cathy only]

I'm not sure how this works, but I have a question. We have been raising chickens for eggs and I'm thinking about getting a couple of ducks. What should I do first?

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Get ducks?

K ok seriously.. First decide what you want ducks for. Then based on that decide what breed. Then get a house and brooder ready and theeeeeen...GET DUCKS!

Maybe you can find this helpful
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index

 

[DancingWthDucks]

Hi and welcome to BYC!

First of all you need to ask yourself: are you ready for ducks? They are messier (but sooo worth it!) and can in exceptional cases live 15+ years! They will probally need a separate area and coop to your current chickens, so also consider where you will house them.

Your next step would be to choose a breed- do you want them as layers, meat birds, pets, etc?

Here is a great list of breeds (although you don't have Abacot Rangers in the US):
https://poultrykeeper.com/duck-breeds/


Most people start with ducks by getting them as ducklings either from a hatchery such as Cackle or Metzer Farms or by buying them from their local feedstore. By raising them from ducklings, the ducks will often be a lot tamer than ducks bought as adults. Also consider what gender you would like them to be- if you only want girls it is easiest to buy as sexed females from a hatchery.

Good luck

 

[mlh328]

http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm?CustID=14725769

Here's another good place to compare different breeds! I'm partial to the cayugas.

 

[cathy only]

How do i enter the contest for cute chix?