Egg Laying Breeds for a Backyard

[Kholts]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member (though I have already posted a thread in the “managing your flock” section. I originally thought about starting a flock of chickens but thanks to a certain member (*aghem* PirateGirl) I am now researching and considering ducks (using this sights articles and breed reviews). Whether I go all ducks or a portion of ducks I am still undecided.

After doing some research I have found a few reasons why I believe ducks would be perhaps more suited for me. (Please let me know if you do not agree with some of my points or if I have been Miss informed during my research) Here are some reasons.

•I live in a cold climate (our winters are known to dip below -25 degrees Celsius) & we only get about 3 months of steady summer heat (average day being 20-30 degrees Celsius).

•By my research it sounds like the egg laying breeds of ducks gives you more eggs a week(reliably) per bird than chickens. More eggs per bird a week=less birds to keep. Does that math sound right?

• egg production doesn’t go down as fast the older they get. Which would mean less replacing or culling of birds every spring.

• easier on my garden boxes then chickens while free ranging in the summer. Though the grass may take a beating when I provide a pool or if it rains

• egg laying breeds (other than Muscovies) don’t seem to be able to get off the ground very well? I only have a 4ft tall chain link fence around my back yard. I was kinda worried about the chickens free ranging and being able to possibly perch on the fence or glide over the fence completely if I forgot to keep up on clipping wings. I feel like I wouldn’t have to worry too much with ducks. They will have a house and run for security and predator purposes.

• overall breeds can be friendly towards children. I have 2 young boys who I know are going to want to help and interact daily.

I do realize there are some downsides to ducks but so far my positives outway the negatives.

Now here is where I’d like your input. These are the breeds available to me in the spring (at our local critter market event) which do you believe would be best suited for egg laying and quietness factor (ducks aren’t silent I know that. Which do you think are generally quieter breeds for hens). I have put an asterisk by the breeds I believe are best for me.

•Indian Runners*
•Muscovies- pretty much Vetoed due to them liking heights
•Cayugas *
•Welsh Harlequin *
•Pekin-noisy & a lot of poop according to reviews?
•Crested
•Rouen
•Saxony*
•Khaki Campbell- Too noisy?

 

[Kkrista123]

Welcome to BYC! Muscovies can fly well so they might not be the best choice! Your duck reasons sound awesome though!

 

[Kkrista123]

You could always clip wings too though!

 

[sylviethecochin]

May be able to eliminate some of them right off the bat--how do you feel about broodiness?

 

[PirateGirl]

Yay ducks! I will also say though, ducks poop a lot, but so do chickens. If your ducks are fully fenced, I would say you need more square footage per duck than you do with chickens in order to manage sanitation.

I do not have any of the breeds that are your top choices, so I will leave that to others to chime in.

Ducks drink more water daily and need swimming water at least sometimes. Think about how this can be accomplished in advance and also how this may (or may not) impact your expenses.

You mentioned a garden, another pro to having ducks is that their waste water and bedding can go straight into the garden and will not burn up your plants and will help fertilize your garden. Waste from your chickens needs to break down a bit first and is too hot to go straight into the garden.

 

[PirateGirl]

*I do have a few khaki campbells, they are on the small side (for ducks anyway) and are about the same size as much chickens, consequently, the eggs are about the same size as standard chicken eggs. They can sorta fly. I don't think they could fly away, but they will get a few feet off the ground when startled, whereas my other ducks stay grounded. Their personality is a bit flighty as well, they startle easily.

 

[Kholts]

You could always clip wings too though!

I do plan to. I’m just worried about the 1 time I forget to re trim and my duck goes flying off never to be seen alive again. I’m a worry wart like that haha.

May be able to eliminate some of them right off the bat--how do you feel about broodiness?

I’m not overly worried about it but it’s not like I plan to hatch ducklings of my own so it’s not something I need. I also would prefer a broody hen not come flying at my head and attacking me or more sons. Do you see a couple on the list that are aggressively broody?

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Of your list I'd do Saxony or Welsh Harlequin ... mostly because I like their looks... that's all I have....

.... but here is a breed comparison chart that might help, it has info on temperament, size, laying, flying, etc :

http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparisonNew.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23569473

Edit:
btw, on the temperment 1 is calm, higher is less calm... took me a bit to find where they stated that (it's on the bottom of the page), the first time I looked at that table... so I figured I'd mention it.

 

[PirateGirl]

When my duck was broody she did not attack, but she did raise a ruckus and make all kinds of noise whenever someone got close. I'm not sure if others are prone to attacking. My broody chicken only ever cared when I was stealing eggs from the nest box she was sitting in, otherwise she would not get off a nest to go after a person either. She did occasionally fight with the other chickens however.

 

[Kholts]

Yay ducks! I will also say though, ducks poop a lot, but so do chickens. If your ducks are fully fenced, I would say you need more square footage per duck than you do with chickens in order to manage sanitation.

I do not have any of the breeds that are your top choices, so I will leave that to others to chime in.

Ducks drink more water daily and need swimming water at least sometimes. Think about how this can be accomplished in advance and also how this may (or may not) impact your expenses.

You mentioned a garden, another pro to having ducks is that their waste water and bedding can go straight into the garden and will not burn up your plants and will help fertilize your garden. Waste from your chickens needs to break down a bit first and is too hot to go straight into the garden.

*I do have a few khaki campbells, they are on the small side (for ducks anyway) and are about the same size as much chickens, consequently, the eggs are about the same size as standard chicken eggs. They can sorta fly. I don't think they could fly away, but they will get a few feet off the ground when startled, whereas my other ducks stay grounded. Their personality is a bit flighty as well, they startle easily.

I did read that they require more square footage. Would you say an 80sqft run for 4 ducks with a say 20sqft house be sufficient. They will have free range time as well.

I didn’t even read that duck waste is ready to use fertilizer! Well that’s just another positive! I like the idea of just removing the waste and placing it directly in my garden.

Ya I don’t think khaki Campbell’s will make the cut. I heard the can be a bit more noisy probably due to their flightyness.

Of your list I'd do Saxony or Welsh Harlequin ... mostly because I like their looks... that's all I have....

.... but here is a breed comparison chart that might help, it has info on temperament, size, laying, flying, etc :

http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparisonNew.cfm?affiliate=undef&CustID=23569473

Edit:
btw, on the temperment 1 is calm, higher is less calm... took me a bit to find where they stated that (it's on the bottom of the page), the first time I looked at that table... so I figured I'd mention it.

Thank you for the list! I looked through it and it seems helpful. The only think I noticed is under welsh Harlequin they list the egg production quite a bit lower than other places I have researched. Possibly that’s their blood line specific? I just thought it was interesting.

I think the Saxony and Welsh will make the cut. At least 1 or more of each. I think ideally I’d like to try 4 different breeds and see what I end up liking.