Ducks and Noise

[DuckMyLife8]

First time to be duck owner in 2 weeks here, I need my mind eased a bit. When I started researching getting ducks, I kept reading how they didn't make much noise and I ordered 2 of the "quieter" breeds, Cayugas and Buffs (females only since I'm raising them for eggs). We live in a tight neighborhood and I definitely don't want to bother the neighbors nor do I want to hear a bunch of noise myself (none of our neighbors are ever outside though). I figured there will be a fair amount of chattering and occasional loud quacks during meal times or if frightened, but last night I stumbled onto a bunch of posts on this forum of people saying how their ducks are SO LOUD and quack constantly and loudly at all times of the day and night.

Now I'm worrying myself about it and am hoping to hear some experiences from people who have ducks that are relatively quiet (obviously males and muscovies are much quieter, I'm talking about females of other breeds) to ease my mind that this will all work out! I can certainly understand occasional noise and I know that won't bother the neighbors but I can't handle an animal constantly shrieking. I will only be having four ducks so hopefully the small number keeps the noise down as well.

Are there any tips for helping to raise and keep quieter ducks? Our setup is a run in shed with a fully open side and a small pen for night but they will have a chicken tractor to spend more time in during the day and maybe free range a bit. Does having them on a schedule for feeding and free ranging make it better or worse? Can they have food in front of them constantly so they're not screaming early in the morning for breakfast? I was thinking about putting potted plants around the outside of their enclosure to make it a little more secluded, would that kind of thing help keep them quieter if they can't see stuff going on around them or would it make them claustrophobic and more anxious?

I ordered extra ducklings to offset the shipping cost and have buyers for the extras but haven't decided on which breed to keep. I really want to do 4 Cayugas but found a lot of mixed reviews on their noise level and was thinking maybe 2 Cayuga and 2 Buffs since the Buffs are supposedly calmer and maybe would influence the Cayugas to be more so. I read that you can tell when they're little which ones will be noisy by which ones are cheeping the loudest, anybody found this to be true?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Teneniel]

I have 5 runners and 1 welsh. The welsh girl is the noisiest of the bunch but even she’s only really quacking if highly offended (ie someone almost bumps into her) or if I come out with a box of goodies for everyone. We have two neighbors that share fence with us and both didn’t even realize we had the ducks for two weeks. I only ever hear them if the windows are open and someone happens to make noise.

I feed their entire day’s allotment at night when they go into the coop, and they range for the daylight hours. Usually there’s still a little food in the bowl right up until feeding time again. They do start to chatter when they hear me walk up to let them out for the day, and then when I open the coop for like 3 minutes to tell me all about what happened overnight, but that’s it.

I wouldn’t worry. I think they’re quieter and less distinct than chickens. I live in a wetland area so they kind of blend into the sounds of nature.

hope that helps!