Duck newbie. Duck care questions.

[Moochie]

How many boys per girls? What's a good/common number of ducks to keep?
Especially if you want eggs? Uhmm what are good duck breeds for eggs and friendliness?

 

[kkattt]

Good questions! I am new to this as well! What kind of ducks do you have?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
The more girls to one drake the better. I have 2 drakes to 7 hens and I should probably have more girls. But no one is beat up or missing feathers so it must not be too bad a ratio. i have muscovies and they lay just about every day. But mine lay from march till sept. then stop. so if you want eggs all year round muscovies aren't the ones.

 

[Moochie]

i have white crested ducks. my mom wants to know whether to keep the duck pool in the sun or in the shade.

 

[lovesgliders]

Quote:
If you have the choice, definitely opt for the shady spot. It keeps the algae down, and the water cooler for the ducks.

 

[TLWR]

Some general info on breeds - http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm?CustID=370598

I had 3 runners. While traditionally a flighty breed, having 3 allowed for me to spend a good chunk of time with them and they are pretty friendly. They won't climb up into your lap and seek out your attention (except if they want something), but they are friendly. And they lay eggs just about daily... and sometimes in places not where I want them to...

 

[Amiga]

I have runners. Nine runners are giving us about six eggs a day (sometimes five, sometimes eight). That drops down with colder weather.

Runners havve a reputation as good egg layers (200 - 350 / year), but not all are that proficient due to breeding. Still, mine are laying plenty for us, neighbors and friends.

They are sweet, friendly, and fun to have. We have no drakes - I paid an extra $1 each to have them sexed.

 

[DuckyGurl]

I have a White Campbell. I LOVE HER. Eggs year round, except for molting. Does great at Fair. FRIENDLIEST duck ever. Eats stuff right out of my hands, pick her up with minimal fuss. Great overall duck. I have two Calls as well, one drake to his "girls".

 

[Moochie]

I was thinking about runners.. And call ducks. Uhm, are ducks supposed to be clumsy? One of the young cockerels walked past a duck and she stumbled over on her side and was squirming around for a bit, she got up though and scurried away. He didn't do anything except walk by

Oh also, they're about 6 weeks and fully feathered, if any were drakes would I be able to tell by now? I don't see any curl on their tails.

 

[FenDruadin]

A good starter number is anywhere between three and eight. Fewer than that and you have lonely ducks. More than that and they start to be smelly and unmanageable unless you have lots of space or lots of experience. I personally think 6 is the ideal number to start with, and at that size or smaller you should have no more than one drake. In fact, one drake per six ducks is a good ratio. If you have eight ducks, you could try for two drakes, but you'll be running the risk that they may not get along or they may pick on one or two females and breed her to death.

Five good laying hens will give you more eggs in the summer than your family is likely to eat--probably between three and five eggs a day, slowing down in winter.

Good breeds for laying are runners, welsh harlequins, magpies, cayugas, and khaki campbells. But more important than the breed is the breeder--order or purchase from a reputable breeder who has been breeding conscientiously for laying ability. Production breeders (McMurray, Metzer, etc.) breed for numbers so their hens are usually pretty good. Holderread is top quality for production and show quality. Local breeders may or may not produce good layers, depending on whether they have been selecting their breeding stock carefully. Ask lots of questions.

Good luck.

Ducks are fun.