First Ducks!

[Haljov2]

I've wanted ducks for the longest time, so I decided to get myself a little birthday present this weekend! I've been doing a lot of research and I've narrowed it down to either Khaki Campbells or Welsh Harlequins. I don't want males because I already have 2 pet chickens that are both females. I found someone nearby that has Khakis Campbell ducklings. He has ones that are 8 days old and ones that are 6 weeks old. He said that he can tell the difference between males and females already, but everything that I read suggests otherwise. I also found someone that needs to rehome 3 female Welsh Harlequins. They are a year old and definitely female. While I would love to raise them from little ducklings, I'm afraid of getting attached to them and then finding out that we have to rehome them because they turned out to be males. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'd go with the WH they are gorgeous ducks.

 

[RichL]

If you are able to provide a loving home to the 3 female Welsh Harlequins, then please do. Adult ducks are fully grown so no risk of angel wing or other problems related to nutritional needs of growing ducklings. Ducklings are only babies for a few weeks. They grow so fast that you have adult ducks before you can turn around.
See if you can spend at least an hour sitting with the ducks. Bring some meal worms or peas and see if they will eat from your hand. After 30 min or so with them do they seem to want to be around you or cower in a corner? If they eat from your hand and don't panic around you then you found your ducks. Bonus they are in their egg laying prime. You will be able to see how much space they are accustomed to and see first hand how much they poo. If they aren't well adjusted to human contact there is always the option of ducklings.
Do you have time during the day to attend to ducklings? At 8 days old they won't "Imprint" on you, but with frequent handling they can be very tame and loving. They will need frequent feeding, litter changes and handling. By the way, I have a duckling that my daughter hatched from an egg. She is imprinted on my daughter and now my daughter regrets it. the duckling wants to be near her at all times and cries (loud panicked peeps) for 20-30 min any time they are separated.
I hope this helps and welcome to duck madness.

 

[Texag87]

Safe bet is the WH . It hurts to rehome drakes you raised from ducklings.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I’d like to add another vote for the three adult WH hens! As others have said, living with the uncertainty of not knowing what genders you have and knowing you may have to rehome some of the ducklings you have grown to love is very difficult. Also, adults are a bit easier when starting out. 3 is a perfect number as well!

Anyways, happy birthday and congratulations in advance for whoever you choose. Please post pictures when you can!

 

[BReeder!]

Happy birthday!
We have 3 ducklings we got when they were just a few days old. In the past 3 weeks they have grown tremendously. They are a lot of fun, although a bit shy around us. We need to spend more time with them and some treats. I vote for ducklings. I am not sure of your opinion on butchering your own birds, but I would get 6 ducklings and send the males or unwanted females to freezer camp once large enough. This way you get to raise them from ducklings and you get to select the temperament of your flock.

 

[Haljov2]

I decided to go with the Welsh Harlequins. We brought them home yesterday. They are beautiful ducks. I'll post pictures once they get settled. They seem a little skittish. The previous owner said that she didn't get to spend a lot of time with them over the winter. They did come right over to her when she brought treats though. I'm sure they'll come around once they get settled, but I'm open to advice and suggestions.
Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Look forward to seeing them. Congrats!!