Duck Suggestions Welcome

[Anonymous Chicken]

Hello!

We are looking to get some ducks next year, and are wondering what breeds people find friendliest, the best egg layers, and the best as pets. And, has anyone had any problems with ducks flying away (if they have the ability to fly) or leaving if you live by a river? We do, and we are worried if we get ducks they will just leave, or get lost. Could we avoid this problem if we provide some of those kid's plastic pools that people use for their ducks and geese? I have heard that some ducks leave unless you keep them enclosed, and others do not. Any opinions?

 

[Corbdee]

Most domestic breeds of duck don’t fly away to migrate or anything. They may try to fly but only get 3-5 seconds of air time because they’re heavier than wild breeds. In my opinion, some of the best egg laying, most adorable friendly breeds are Pekins, Rouens, khaki Campbell’s, and Swedish.

 

[igorsMistress]

From what I’ve read Indian Runners don’t typically fly and lay well. You can always clip wings of any breed that do fly, but my sons Muscovy always came home at night before they had their wings clipped. As I understand it Pekins are a meat duck and they can develop leg and foot issues as they age because they’re heavy. I’ve never had them, that’s just experiences from others I’ve read about while researching ducks for myself.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Most of mine are mixed breed Perkins runners and Welsh crossed with Saxony. All are good layers. they take a lot of work to be pets as they are not big fans of humans.

 

[swampfox440]

I keep Mallards because of the beauty . I clip the wings , just the flight feathers . I don't like to pinion them . Now the Mute Swans have to be pinioned by law in my State . It is best do it when they are a couple days old or so . If you want ducks to eat I would say Pekins are best and jumbo Rouen are good also . It is nice to have a drum plucker for ducks if you plan on eating them .

 

[Anonymous Chicken]

Thanks for the suggestions! We were worried because a friend of ours has ducks and hers can fly. She told us that some flew away, so we were wondering if that happened often. (They are Muscovies, which makes more sense now that I looked it up.) But we live by a river and we were wondering whether they might leave. In your experience, have you had any ducks leave if they had a chance?

 

[Quatie]

I have mt ducks fenced in with a 3 ft chicken wire fence and they have never tried to get away. Even when we have let them out of the fenced area, they never go very far and then head back into the fenced area for water.

I have Pekin, saxony, khaki, swedes, welsh harlequin, and muscovy. I would probably never get Pekin again. They are sweet ducks, but I have had 2 die from leg issues, and one I am treating for bumblefoot still. I have not had the Pekins even a year yet. Pekins pig out more on food, and seem to be my messiest breed. I tried to use a gravity feeder and my Pekins ate over a weeks worth of food in less than 2 days. I have no complaints about my other breeds.

 

[Maddog_photog]

Most domestic breeds of duck don’t fly away to migrate or anything. They may try to fly but only get 3-5 seconds of air time because they’re heavier than wild breeds. In my opinion, some of the best egg laying, most adorable friendly breeds are Pekins, Rouens, khaki Campbell’s, and Swedish.

@Anonymous Chicken i can vouch for Swedish Blues- I call them my Swedish Sweethearts. I have two - both drakes/males so I don’t know about the breed’s laying ability but they are very friendly. As for flying, they do like to stretch their wings in the morning and flap and jump around the yard a bit. so they can fly, but as long as they have the essentials (food, water, shelter) there’s no reason for them to leave. They’re also very pretty, if that matters.

 

[chicken1234]

I bought three muskovys a couple weeks ago. Super sweet but still skittish of me. Does everyone find you need to buy them as day old for them to be friendly or do they just learn you are their friend in time?

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I have Khaki's and Swedish Blue. They are 5 months old and only moved from the kiddie pool to the pond a couple weeks ago. They do short flights but I don't think they can get very far.
Mine are young so still skiddish enough that they won't even leave the edges of the water or go the bigger pond. They don't even wander far despite being on 15 acres. I think they want to stick close to the food source and they always line up at the coop to be put in at dark.
I would thnk a river may be troublesome when they got old enough to be more adventurous. But if they are fed, housed and cared for, I would think they would come home for food and safety.