Duck Questions

[NCBantam22]

Thinking about getting 3 mallard ducklings.
How much do they poop vs chickens?
How loud are they?
Will they wander/fly off?
Can I keep them in a fenced backyard?
Will a doghouse work for sleeping quarters?
Will they breed with wild mallards?
Are they good weeders?
All help appreciated

 

[Amiga]

Thinking about getting 3 mallard ducklings.
How much do they poop vs chickens?
How loud are they?
Will they wander/fly off?
Can I keep them in a fenced backyard?
Will a doghouse work for sleeping quarters?
Will they breed with wild mallards?
Are they good weeders?
All help appreciated

I can't compare them to chickens, but I have read they seem to poop more. I think it's because it's watery.
Drakes - boys - are very quiet, Muscovies are pretty quiet, and my runners are loud when they aren't getting something they want. So most of the time they are quiet.
Yes, they will wander/fly off if not kept fenced, with wings clipped.
A fenced backyard is great, go a little further and make sure it's secured against predators.
Yes, a nice sized doghouse that you can close up securely at night but with good ventilation is good.
They could breed with wild mallards under the right circumstances.
They forage, and don't distinguish weeds from any other plants. My runners eat dandelions, voilets, comfrey, chickweed, lots of weeds. They also will nom down on lettuce plants if I let them in the garden at the wrong time.

Glad to see you here. Please keep us up to date with your thoughts and ideas.