Chicken or Ducks??

[ClumsyUzi]

Hey there!!!
just started my own poultry farm and the main goal is to breed chicken. But there are several people out there saying that ducks are better as they can also be used for pest control and lay more eggs. Now I am in serious doubt whether I took the right step of choosing chickens over ducks.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Chickens will also eat many many pests.

There are different difficulties when dealing with each species.

Chickens need a dry environment ducks LOVE water for example. Ducks in large numbers can be a challenge with all that mud and muck they make.

 

[Chicalina]

different breeds of chickens and ducks behave differently. Not all poultry is equal.

my bantams are not as good at fly control as my RSLs for example. They are just much less interested. My ducks loved giant slugs, and the chickens liked the small ones.

Can you keep both, but separately?

I recommend runner ducks for eggs and ease of keeping. But not meat. Pekins are generally used for that.

And you have a wide choice of chicken breeds for laying, meat or dual purpose to choose from.

 

[Callender Girl]

I don't think there is a "right:" answer to your situation. It depends on what you're willing to do to keep each. In my experience, my runner ducks lay more eggs than some of my chicken breeds but not as many as others.

My chickens seem much more interested in running down and eating any bugs or worms that move. My ducks forage but don't seem as enthusiastic about pest control. They definitely aren't going to chase down and eat any mice, while the chickens will.

Ducks are far messier because they need and love to play with water. Chickens need more protection from weather; mine huddle in their coops when it's cold and run inside when it rains. Ducks love a rainy day and don't seem to mind the cold as much.

Welcome to this group, and I hope folks here give you enough information to help you make the best decision for you.

 

[ClumsyUzi]

I don't think there is a "right:" answer to your situation. It depends on what you're willing to do to keep each. In my experience, my runner ducks lay more eggs than some of my chicken breeds but not as many as others.

My chickens seem much more interested in running down and eating any bugs or worms that move. My ducks forage but don't seem as enthusiastic about pest control. They definitely aren't going to chase down and eat any mice, while the chickens will.

Ducks are far messier because they need and love to play with water. Chickens need more protection from weather; mine huddle in their coops when it's cold and run inside when it rains. Ducks love a rainy day and don't seem to mind the cold as much.

Welcome to this group, and I hope folks here give you enough information to help you make the best decision for you.

Thanks for the great response. Currently I have incubated 150 eggs out of which i got a 60 to 70% yield. Will try some ducks soon.