Ducks - which breed to get ?

[Laurena]

So we're looking at getting some ducks in the not so distant future . They'll be mostly for eggs , so being a good layer is an important quality . I'm not too concerned about size or noise , but I am about flying . What would be a good duck for me ? I've been looking at Khaki Campbells , Runners and Pekins .

Also any suggestions on a good place to look for ducks/ducklings in Canada , more specifically British Columbia ?

Thanks everyone .

 

[greyfields]

You are in duck paradise. Onlly mallards are flighty, so you can choose based on looks alone. Pick a duck you find beautiful as you will be spending a lot of time with them. To me, the top three are Silver Appleyards, Saxony and Welsh Harlequin.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I've always wanted a duck - is it true that they don't have to swim? We don't have a pond but would a pen with a kiddie pool work? I'm in the 'burbs - are ducks any noisier than roosters? Can you just have one or do they get lonely? Can you keep them in the same pen with chickens outdoors? What about winter?

Sorry for all the questions; I'm going to Meyer Hatchery tomorrow to pick up my peeps and don't want to fall in love with something I shouldn't be bringing home!

 

[Laurena]

LilRalphieRoosmama - I can't really answer any of your questions as I am quiet new to ducks myself , hopefully someone a bit more duck savvy can help you . From what I've read though , I would never keep a single duck , they are social and do better in pair or trio's .

I've had a awful time trying to find ducks in my area , I can only find pekins or muscovy and to be honest I'm not a big muscovy fan (sorry all muscovy lovers) . I do like pekins though , any pekin owners out there ? How do you like them ? How are they for egg production ?

 

[Sparrow]

I think you should just do what I'm doing...get at least one of everything.

I have: 1 Ancona drake, 1 Dark Khaki Campbell drake(after this all the rest are girls), 1 crested Chocolate Splash Blue Swedish, 1 Welsh Harlequin, 2 Black Runners, 1 crested Fawn & White Runner, 1 crested Cayuga, 1 crested Khaki Campbell. I have 3 more coming next week, 1 crested Khaki Campbell, 1 crested Fawn & White Runner, 1 crested Black & White Magpie.

Not great for breeding purposes save for the Campbells, but variety is the spice.

 

[SullyCarter]

runners.
no flying. good layers. cool looking.

 

[conny63malies]

I love my muscovys . And if you clip the wings they dont leave. they are very friendly and are decent layers and make a nice roast too. They are non quacking( i have three in a burb backyard and one one complains.) Nothing beats a khaki campell when it comes down to eggs though.

 

[raindrop]

As to the loudness thing, my drakes are very quiet. The ducks on the other hand...

I am in the house with the screen door open. I can hear the ducks carrying on at the pond 150 yards away as clear as a bell. Ducks are loud!

I have Dutch Hookbills. Holderread's said they lay well, mine are just 9 weeks so I don't know yet. They are very sweet and calm.

 

[dragonshiner]

I have Khakis for eggs. I also have a fawn and white runner because he looks cool! I really would suggest a runner duck because they lay quite a few eggs and come in a real array of colors and have a very unique stature. Otherwise I'm told Magpies lay about 260 eggs a year and come in various patterns of black and white.

 

[Omniskies]

If you don't care about a skittish personality then I highly recommend production Campbells. They've been known to out-lay Leghorns and are extremely economical. Runners are my second choice. They're really nifty to look at as they bob around.

If you don't mind slightly sacrificing laying qualities for rarity, then check out the Welsh Harlequin. I enjoyed mine and the egg production is easily on par with a lot of your dual-purpose chicken breeds.