Ducks compared to chickens, your opinion?

[fowlsessed]

Exactly, GQ. Good points. I was just curious if the response would be similar to that of the turkeys!!

 

[Marwan]

In my opinion duck. Not only are they more intelligent and have a stronger imprint than a chicken but also as a result of this it makes the better pet and as i have proven can be trained to do many things. They are messier than chickens so for those who dont spend much time and dont like to clean up lots chickens are the way to go but for those who give time and love and are willing to do alot of cleaning ducks are your choice.

This may help you decide. One of the many benifits of having ducks :

 

[ChristineR]

Something else I forgot to mention, ducks are hardier than chickens. They are definitely messier around water, though.

 

[PlumTuckered]

I have Chickens, Ducks, and Turkeys (used to have Guineas as well but Husband couldn't stand the noise). I started with chickens, then got ducks then got turkeys. I love all of them but if I could only choose one to have it would be ducks hands down.

I find them all intelligent but ducks more so. Some of the chickens will come to me when I call their name, 2 of the 3 turkeys will come when I call their name, all of my ducks come when I call their name. I'm able to herd all of them with no problem. They all go to their pen just before dusk and all go to their houses at dusk without being herded except for my 5 adult Muscovies, they prefer to roost in the big pine trees above the pond.

I have one chicken that I hatched in the house that I can walk up to, pick up and carry around. I have 4 ducks (1 pekin, 1 runner/magpie cross and 2 muscovy hens) that I can walk up to, pick up and carry around. The rest prefer that I don't pick them up but are quite calm if I do...they just give me this look of disgust when I do it LOL

I spend a lot of time outside with my critters, most of it is with my ducks. Chickens will gather near me until they see I have no treats then they just go about their chicken business. My turkeys prefer to be with humans over anyone so will follow me all over the place and stand by me if I stand still. Now my ducks, whole other story, they'll gather around me, sing and quack and dance and entertain me to no end. My Muscovy ducks are the most friendly of all of my ducks, they'll stand at the back door and sing to me if I'm inside, they'll even get up on the tin roof of the house and walk back and forth until I come outside, then they'll fly down to my feet and visit some more...they just melt my heart My Pekin, Magpie/runner cross, Mallard and Pekin/Muscovy crosses all prefer to spend most of their time playing on the pond...twice a day they'll come up and play in the yard around the house but my Muscovy ducks really prefer to be up here around the house and duck pen until dusk, then it's straight to the pine trees.

I've wanted to get a couple of geese for about 5 yrs now but my Husband says NO WAY...he says they poop too much *sigh* I don' t think he'll ever cave. It took me two yrs to talk him into letting me get ducks. He grew up with chickens and ducks and likes chickens better.

Michelle

 

[fowlsessed]

Great, thanks for sharing. Maybe you can get him with the mini geese? That's my next thing to get!!

 

[PlumTuckered]

Mini Geese????????? Ohhh I haven't heard of them before! Off to google!

Michelle

 

[fowlsessed]

Yup, they're great!! Tell your Husband I said sorry, lol lol

 

[PlumTuckered]

Oh my goodness they're gorgeous!!!!!! I normally stay clear of the Geese forum because I can't have any but those mini's...WOW!! Compact like a duck but it's a goose..love it!
Hmmm gonna have to do some thinkin' on this LOL

Michelle