Favorite Breed--looking for buddy for our solo duckling

[DownLo]

Favorite breed between Cayuga, Blue Swedish and Pekin and why?

We have a Rouen duckling that needs a pal or two or three.

Local feed store will be selling the above types of ducklings this weekend.

We are open to adopting 1-3 more ducklings.

Our son seems partial to the Pekin.

If we get more one is there any benefit to keeping to one breed or OK to mix it up?

TIA

 

[Khota]

I noticed that ducks seem to favor other ducks that look similar to them in color or breed as adults.
I have a group of ducks that are mixed breeds, and my Rouen drake only sticks with the Khaki Campbell and the Rouen female. (Brown ducks)
On the other hand, my two pekins stick together - but they do follow around the rest of the ducks, but do seem to enjoy each others company rather than that of the other ducks.
Though.. I do have a Magpie duck who ignores and chases away the other ducks when they get too close, preferring to stick with my Buff Goose instead.

But since you do have a duckling - you can hopefully integrate them with whatever since they do seem more open to bonding with other birds at that age. Since they're ducklings, you can probably just get whichever breed you prefer the most, but be watchful of bullying between the ducklings when you get the new ones.

Good luck with your baby, please post some pictures when you get your new duckies!

 

[carlyducks]

This is my Blue Swedish male, Barron. He is 8 months old. I also had a female blue swedish who recently passed.
These are the reasons why I recommend/like them:
- Blue Swedish are excellent layers, I got an egg a day from my female 10 months out of the year.
- They are extremely friendly ducks. My Male and Female let me pet them anytime and always stayed by my side. They are very calm and loving ducks. My female was just the sweetest thing.
- They aren't loud. My female swedish never made a peep, other than some tiny excited chirps when treats were being given.
- They are VERY hardy ducks. They thrive in the winter. I live in CT and this winter it got to be 3 degrees at some points and both of my Swedish were running around in the snow with no problem. No heat lamp was ever needed.
- They are GORGEOUS!! The blue swedish breed is so beautiful. Their pretty blueish/gray feathers with their white speckled chests are so amazing, I just love the way they look..

Blue Swedish are a great breed to add to any flock in my opinion ! I hope this helps

 

[DownLo]

This is my Blue Swedish male, Barron. He is 8 months old. I also had a female blue swedish who recently passed.
These are the reasons why I recommend/like them:
- Blue Swedish are excellent layers, I got an egg a day from my female 10 months out of the year.
- They are extremely friendly ducks. My Male and Female let me pet them anytime and always stayed by my side. They are very calm and loving ducks. My female was just the sweetest thing.
- They aren't loud. My female swedish never made a peep, other than some tiny excited chirps when treats were being given.
- They are VERY hardy ducks. They thrive in the winter. I live in CT and this winter it got to be 3 degrees at some points and both of my Swedish were running around in the snow with no problem. No heat lamp was ever needed.
- They are GORGEOUS!! The blue swedish breed is so beautiful. Their pretty blueish/gray feathers with their white speckled chests are so amazing, I just love the way they look..

Blue Swedish are a great breed to add to any flock in my opinion ! I hope this helps

View attachment 1345768

He is so handsome. Thank you

 

[CarleeAnn]

I have a Cayuga and Blue Swedish. Both girls, reliably give an egg a day. The Cayuga has larger eggs, but the Blue lays such pretty gray eggs!! The Blue is much more calm- we call her the “Nanny” duck because she reminds of our grandma who is rather lazy.... She’s harder to herd because she just likes to plop and stay.

Our Cayuga is much more active and has such personality! But she also gets cranky and will yell at me if I don’t bring them breakfast fast enough. She seems more healthy though than my Blue. I taught my Cayuga to spin for food too!

I don’t know if I could choose a favorite, but my husband would definietly say to get another Cayuga if we got more ducks.