HELP in deciding on a duck breed....SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM

[dumb_cluck]

I like Mallards, however they can fly. My two hens are laying up a storm. Only one went broody and she was a witch! It took her two clutches to get the idea of making a nest.

I also inherited a Rouen recently, but believe I have a drake. Rouens don't fly but are poor egg layers.They are a very big heavy breed.

If you can find domesticated Mallards, I would go with them. I do not clip wings because I believe they have the right to fly if they need to. Most of the time they will stay will you unless poorly treated.

 

[Blooming chicks]

I think you could go with just about anything on the critical list and be happy with them. Some are more social, some lay more eggs, some are just plain beautiful... Me personally, I went with the Welsh Harlequins and Magpies. Good luck on your search for the perfect breed.

 

[Bleenie]

Muscovies are seasonal layers but they are also excellent mothers, broodies and very friendly comical ducks. Last year my hens quit laying in November and started again in January..I also read that they quit for a longer period so i was very suprised to see them start again so soon but they've been great. we don't eat the eggs but we've had TONS of babies this year!

More than a few of my girls on on their second clutches of eggs. They are also very easy to handle, for broodies..a couple will peck a little but calm down after a few seconds.

ETA: Muscovies are definitely not endangered/critical or on watch, so i dont knwo if you'd be interested in them. A lot of people breed them but it's sometimes hard to find ones you really like the shape & caruncling(masks) of. I am not a fan of excessive caruncling but i have fallen in love with a few drake with a lot of Black caruncling, its very stunning.

 

[honeydoll]

Thanks Bleenie. I have looked into muscovies and am intrigued. I am very interested in the Cayuga, what a beeyootiful duck. That is one I didn't really look into but now I really love the idea of them.

 

[Wifezilla]

1. Good layer, I would like to be able to sell some eggs and enjoy some for ourselves too
Welsh Harlequin, khaki campbell, indian runner

2. Goes broody, would like to hatch but I do have a bator so this is not necessary just prefered
Welsh Harlequin

3. Doesn't fly
Welsh Harlequin, khaki campbell, indian runner

4. I am really into rare breeds but that is not my No. 1 desire so can live without it. IF I could get a rare breed that was a good layer that'd be great.
Welsh Harlequin

5. Fairly friendly, now I know this is also an individual thing but some breeds do tend to have more friendlier ducks.
Welsh Harlequin and some runners

6. Would like a good dual purpose duck, as well. Although from my researching it seems most lean toward specific breeds for each. Any info here would be helpful. THanks.
Welsh Harlequin (Khaki campbells and indian runners are too skinny)

 

[Snakeman]

Silver Appleyards. 7 to 9 pounds, wonderful plumage, good layers of very large eggs, cannot fly. They are in desperate need of more breeders for this breed. In 2000 there were only 128 breeding Silver Appleyards in the US. I believe they were split between only 5 breeders.
I do not know if they are good setters as mine are not fully mature yet and that seems to be the one piece of info I can't find.
Please look into them. I love mine.

 

[mrslb333]

Cayuga's are brilliant, I absolutely adore mine

 

[honeydoll]

Thanks Wifezilla...you know your ducks. That was very helpful.

Snakeman I have looked into silvers and am interested. I didn't know there were so few breeders for them.

Mrslb333 THat is two votes for Cayugas. They are beautiful ducks. THey have what I'm looking for. Do you process for meat? If so can you tell me what they dress out like. Is it good meat?

 

[Chris09]

I would say either Silver Appleyards or Welsh Harlequin.

I would stay away from Mallards. One the do fly and two you would have to get a Migratory Bird Permit...

Chris

 

[Wifezilla]

I think Appleyards and Welsh Harlequins are both really high on the cute meter too