Duck Questions

[winc564]

Hi. I'm trying to plan ahead for next summer. My kids would love to have some ducks.

1. Good breeds to be around children? (cold weather hardy would help too)

2. I don't want a LOT of ducks, so is it okay to just keep two? (I'm assuming they like company.) Can I keep two females?

3. What breed of ducks would be good for keeping them in a run? (Predator problems.)

4. Would ducks be okay in a chicken tractor during the day?

5. How many eggs? Do they keep the same way chicken eggs do?

 

[Smurfbrew]

Hi. I'm trying to plan ahead for next summer. My kids would love to have some ducks.

1. Good breeds to be around children? (cold weather hardy would help too)

2. I don't want a LOT of ducks, so is it okay to just keep two? (I'm assuming they like company.) Can I keep two females?

3. What breed of ducks would be good for keeping them in a run? (Predator problems.)

4. Would ducks be okay in a chicken tractor during the day?

5. How many eggs? Do they keep the same way chicken eggs do?

1. I'm partial to Welsh Harlequins myself, they are very calm. Most folks say Pekins are great though too, very friendly and personable. Both are cold hardy.

2. Two is probably the minimum one should get. They would do just fine together, but if you lost one, you'd need to get another ASAP so the survivor wouldn't get lonely. Two girls are just fine, especially if you don't want babies.

3. Any ducks are fine in a run, as long as they have plenty of space. Predators are a major concern though since most domestic ducks can't fly and have no defenses. It is your job to keep them safe from all predators. Don't forget about flying and burrowing ones, too.

4.Alone or with chickens? I have heard it both ways, some folks here say their chickens get along fine with their ducks, and have seen stories from others where the chickens attacked their ducks. Male ducks can hurt chickens as well if they try to mount them.

5. Depends on the breed. Some only do about 100- 150 a year, where others like Khaki Campbells can lay over 300 a year. Yes they keep just like chicken eggs.

Hope this helps!

 

[winc564]

Very helpful! Thank you.