(Expensive) Anacona ducks for beginner? (via Carol Deppe)

[shayok]

Hello,

This is will be my first time caring for any non-human animal. My primary motivation for keeping ducks will be slug control in and around my vegetable garden in Central NY (Zone 5b/6a) at a reasonable cost, in a natural way. Eggs/meat will be a bonus. Like many here, I'm heavily influenced by Carol Deppe's praise of Anaconas - just heavy enough to discourage birds of prey, very alert to predators, good personality, great foragers, excellent dual purpose bird. I will have housing space for 4-5 grown birds. (I'm planning to build a 9 sq ft, wire mesh floor mobile duck house per Eliot Coleman's design of the Duckingham Palace.)

The trouble is Anaconas are expensive to buy. It seems the only reliable way to get around 4+1 ducks+drake is from Cackle Hatchery, which will cost $130-150. I could get Cayugas at much lower cost from Metzer or a comparable breed from a local farmer.

Are Anaconas worth the hype? Or is it just Deppe's personal experience? She writes that other than Magpies, she's kept a bunch of different kinds of ducks.

Thanks for this wonderful forum.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Hi! And !

Congratulations on deciding to get some ducks. If you have your heart set on getting Anaconas, I'd suggest looking for local breeders via your online want ads or Facebook Marketplace if you do that (I don't).

As for the duck trailer, I would stay away from mesh flooring as this can be very hard on their feet and lead to injuries or bumblefoot.

Good luck!

 

[KathiQuacks]

Sorry, I cannot answer your main question, but I must comment on the size of housing you’re planning to build. 9 sq ft is not enough space for 4-5 ducks. They will be cramped and stressed. You’ll want closer to 4-6 sq ft per duck, or 16-30 sq ft total.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hello,

This is will be my first time caring for any non-human animal. My primary motivation for keeping ducks will be slug control in and around my vegetable garden in Central NY (Zone 5b/6a) at a reasonable cost, in a natural way. Eggs/meat will be a bonus. Like many here, I'm heavily influenced by Carol Deppe's praise of Anaconas - just heavy enough to discourage birds of prey, very alert to predators, good personality, great foragers, excellent dual purpose bird. I will have housing space for 4-5 grown birds. (I'm planning to build a 9 sq ft, wire mesh floor mobile duck house per Eliot Coleman's design of the Duckingham Palace.)

The trouble is Anaconas are expensive to buy. It seems the only reliable way to get around 4+1 ducks+drake is from Cackle Hatchery, which will cost $130-150. I could get Cayugas at much lower cost from Metzer or a comparable breed from a local farmer.

Are Anaconas worth the hype? Or is it just Deppe's personal experience? She writes that other than Magpies, she's kept a bunch of different kinds of ducks.

Thanks for this wonderful forum.

I can only say that I have to admit my one Ancona is pretty special.. She’s very fancy she’s the Drake’s favorite for sure. Here’s a pic of her ,name is Caliope