Comment for most gentle breed and best personality

[cscarney]

Australian Spotted ducks win for personality, gentleness, and mothering ability, hands down. They're a bantam, but large compared to something like a Call. I've been raising them for years, and they're my favorite ducks. Second choice would be Welsh Harlequin--many of the same attributes as the Spots, but in a bigger package, and longer egg laying season.

 

[Saigey]

Yes they do! Feel free to post as many pictures as you like! We are all here for the ducks!

 

[Saigey]

Australian Spotted ducks win for personality, gentleness, and mothering ability, hands down. They're a bantam, but large compared to something like a Call. I've been raising them for years, and they're my favorite ducks. Second choice would be Welsh Harlequin--many of the same attributes as the Spots, but in a bigger package, and longer egg laying season.

My two agree!!!

 

[SkyeT]

We have or have had Pekin, Rouen, Cayuga, Pekin-Runner mix, Muscovy. The Cayuga was a male, and although a great duck, was not a team player. The Pekin females were just too loud for our set-up (in a tight community) but lovely sweeties. The male Pekin... well, too randy. The mix was probably one of our best ducks - look-out, constant commentator and the Rouen's bestie. He was a faithful and true duck. The Rouen, by far, has the most personality of all of the ducks we've had. She is hilarious, and communicates well through body language and vocals, is sassy, bossy and a prima dona. Our Muscovies are quiet, but each one has a gentle personality. One of them recognizes her name.

We are getting two Blue Runner chicks next week, so that we can experience the wonder that is Runners.

 

[Saigey]

Australian Spotted ducks win for personality, gentleness, and mothering ability, hands down. They're a bantam, but large compared to something like a Call. I've been raising them for years, and they're my favorite ducks. Second choice would be Welsh Harlequin--many of the same attributes as the Spots, but in a bigger package, and longer egg laying season.

I'm excited to meet someone else who has little spotted sweeties!!!

 

[Saigey]

Be careful what you ask for! Lol!

 

[lomine]

I don't have first hand experience with calls but I don't think it would be a good idea to house two medium size drakes with call or other small breed hens. I've not seen any posts from people who mix calls with larger breeds. That's not to say no one does it, just that I haven't seen it. It might have been okay with 1 drake but with 2 you get competition and it adds another layer of difficulty to the situation. If you are going to keep two drakes I suggest getting more than 2 additional hens. Last summer I had 7 hens with 2 drakes and I had a few injuries to deal with on the hens. I ended up hatching eggs and kept some so now I have 10 hens total. If you are going to go the hatching route, you will need to have a plan for the drakes. You said these were just pets so I'm assuming you don't plan to eat extra drakes. It's not easy to find a pet-only homes for them if that's something you want to do.

I have WH and Saxony and like both breeds. Hatched out a mix this past summer and she is a gorgeous combination of the two breeds. I think breed standards on calmness and personality are just guide posts. Each duck is individual and how you raise it will be a bigger factor. Of course you can still get the outliers. I had Cayugas that never got tame, even after 6 months. Some of my other ducks will eat from my hand but those Cayugas acted like I was the devil himself out to get them.

 

[Lwooster]

I've only been a duck owner for 18 months. I have Silver Appleyard, Khaki Campbell, Saxony, Ancona and American Buff heritage ducks from Sand Hill Preservation in Iowa. They are all gentle and personable ducks. The Ancona (Suzie) is a bit more independent and will take herself off from the flock more often than the others. The Silver Appleyard (Penny) and one of my two Khaki Campbells (Lucy) are the most friendly, first to greet me every morning and the two that will consistently follow me around. The Saxony(Liesle) is very gentle but a bit more reserved. The American Buff (Chloe) and the second Khaki Campbell (Brownie) are the least dominant; the Buff is very sweet but a bit skittish.....Until she gets in the pool and then she becomes a fearless duck. She loves to swim. They all let me pick them up when necessary without any fuss.

 

[Newfowler1]

I’m kinda surprised by the polling results. Very contradictory of literature. Pekin is at number 2 with Runners at number pole position!

Well I’ve been gifted these lovely eggs from my gals & decided I had to witness the miracle of life I missed out on in 4H.
4 Cayuga eggs in there and the other 3??? Hmmm I’m thinking due to the large size it is the only other large bird that being Blue Swedish.
The ladies seem to be rather frisky in the past 2-3 months. I’ve two boys that seem happy to follow & be accommodating. Fresh water in the pool (lord sometimes a deep puddle or water dish, the Welsh flattens out anywhere??) and the gals hop in bath flatten out and bob heads up and down. The drakes were slow at first maybe to catch on. I have seen the girls try to mount and grab the back of their GFs heads? Well I guess everyone is learning the deed right? I’ve seen a few willys from time to time but it’s really hard to tell if they are going through the motions and hitting the mark. The love doesn’t seem to last very long so I’m not sure... I’ll find out in 10days when I candlelight this batch I’ve been setting on for the past 10days maybe.
So I’m hoping my 2 drakes & gals are fertile enough at their age all under a year old.

 

[Jbently28]

I own Welsh Harlequins, Khaki Campbells, Buffs, Anconas, and Muscovies. My muscovies are by far my favorite. They are definitely the most social. They follow me around like little puppies almost begging for me to talk to them and pet them. And there's just something about those little head bobs and tail wags that are just irresistible. My 2nd favorite would probably be my ancona followed by my Welsh and then my buff. Khaki's are far too skittish. I use them mostly just for egg production. I also house a toulouse/african goose with my ducks and chickens. She has been a wonderful addition to the flock. She is very bonded with my ducks, especially the muscovies. She was hatched last fall. We will be acquiring a gander this spring for her.