Hey all, new duck enthusiast.

[kunsangsean]

Hey everyone,

I'm a gardener and hobby orchardist in Boise, ID. I've kept chickens for eggs in the past. Currently I'm hoping to learn more about good options for bug control. We've had some bad earwig and squash bug infestations in our garden and fruit tree orchard recently. I was thinking about getting ducks to minimize plant damage that chickens cause, though that seems to be an issue with ducks too from what I've read. Maybe not quite as much? I'd love to hear input on whether ducks are capable of taking on earwig problems or if chickens are better for that. We're considering runner ducks or welsh harlequins, and possibly considering getting all drakes to reduce noise. We live on a 1/4 plot and would prefer not to annoy our neighbors too much. Which duck is the quietest seems highly contended from internet searches. What would you do if your top priority was bug control and low noise? Thanks! - Sean

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

You might stop by our Ducks forums here on BYC for more insight on Ducks, I am not very familiar with them... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/ducks.42/

Enjoy this adventure and welcome aboard!

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looking for quiet in ducks then you might want to check out Muscovy. They are called the quackless duck. Females make a trilling noise drakes huff and hiss. They are good foragers too.
My Runner and Buff females can be pretty loud just depends on what mood they are in. It's not constant but it can get loud.
Runners are great buggers though.

 

[N F C]

Hello, it's nice to have you here with us!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Welcome to the coop! I use the Forums and Articles tabs at the top of the page to do research. You can get lost for hours. It's nice to know you are minutes away from getting help with questions and emergencies! I always check in the "What's New" section as well at the top of this page. This way I can read how I may have a similar question or help give some advice.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Welcome to Byc
I have ducks both male and female
My one drake talks non stop but his voice noise is much quieter then my girls
When the girls get going everyone can hear them
Where as the boys I only hear if I’m right out with them
Also that drake was raised as a baby himself till he was big enough to join the older ducks
So he talked lots of he couldn’t see us at all times
My other boys who had hatch mates hardly make any sounds

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[swampfox440]

Of course, I would say Mute swans are pretty quiet. Unless you stick to drakes only, the females will quack loud. My hen quacks at feeding time and you can hear her from the mailbox that is about 500ft away. I could recommend some wild duck breeds but then you would need permits. Good luck.