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

 

[ChickenHeartedHen]

Hi! Welcome to BYC!

 

[fluffycrow]

Welcome to the forum! I don't have any experience with ducks, but there are MANY duck addicts on this forum, and they can give you great advice, like @Miss Lydia ! If you have any more questions, don't be afraid to ask! Hope to see you around, and goof luck on fixing your problem

 

[Blue Raptor]

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

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

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[Summer_]

Hello

For noise, people say drakes are quieter. I, personally, think it mostly depends on the duck’s own personally though.

 

[muddy75]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! I have somewhat limited experience with ducks but my Pekin hen is the quietest followed by my call drakes. My previous full-size pair were also quiet relative to the call hens! Good luck in your future ducky endeavors!

 

[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.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

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

 

[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.