Hey Guys!

[Melky]

Welcome to BYC!​

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

We have a contest going on right now just for new folks like you. In order to enter you'll need to copy the link from your first post in this thread and post it in the contest thread.

To copy your link address, right click on the link to your thread and click copy or copy link

then click on the following URL
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...t-new-byc-members-win-a-byc-calendar.1287752/
Go down to where it says "write your reply..." tell us this is your entry and then click on the link button

Paste your URL into the box and click "insert", then click "Post Reply".

That's all there is to it. Once you've finished this, you're eligible to win a nice BYC Calendar.

 

[Table4Six]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined our community of crazy poultry lovers! Hope to see you sifting around the duck forum.

Now to start off with some helpful tips concerning breeds. Here are some of the best egg layers:
Khaki Campbell
Golden 300 Hybrid layer
White layer
Welsh Harlequins are also known as one of the best layers. You mentioned buffs, they are moderate/good layers.
Runners are excellent layers and foragers, but they would need an extra large run to meet their needs.
The majority of large fowl ducks are good layers, these are just some of the best. Please feel free to ask questions about breeds if you have them.

The size of your coop/run depends on how many birds you will be getting. Also, do you plan on giving them a pond/pool? If so, then be warned they are mud lovers, but cute ones at that.

Another thing to take into account is the proper drake/hen ratio. Do you plan on adding any males?

Another big welcome to BYC!

 

[Stick Chicken]

Welcome!
I don't know a lot about duck breeds. I have had khaki campbells in the past and know that they are good layers. I have heard that the welsh harlequins are decent layers as well, but I can't say for sure.
Good luck on your duck journey!

 

[N F C]

Why not get a sampling of different breeds so you can see which ones you like the best? Best of luck with all your plans, have fun!

 

[WillowsDucks]

WELCOME! The Welsh H. would be my choice if I could have ducks. Love their colors.[/QUO

WELCOME! The Welsh H. would be my choice if I could have ducks. Love their colors.

Same!! They would also be my first choice.

 

[WillowsDucks]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined our community of crazy poultry lovers! Hope to see you sifting around the duck forum.
View attachment 1679119

Now to start off with some helpful tips concerning breeds. Here are some of the best egg layers:
Khaki Campbell
Golden 300 Hybrid layer
White layer
Welsh Harlequins are also known as one of the best layers. You mentioned buffs, they are moderate/good layers.
Runners are excellent layers and foragers, but they would need an extra large run to meet their needs.
The majority of large fowl ducks are good layers, these are just some of the best. Please feel free to ask questions about breeds if you have them.

The size of your coop/run depends on how many birds you will be getting. Also, do you plan on giving them a pond/pool? If so, then be warned they are mud lovers, but cute ones at that.

Another thing to take into account is the proper drake/hen ratio. Do you plan on adding any males?

Another big welcome to BYC!

Thank you so much for your response!! Those are some great tips!
I've looked at a lot of those breeds and I agree they are great birds, I thought about Khaki Campbell quite a bit, but decided against it considering some of my siblings are very young and a lot people say those can be very nervous birds.

The coup and run size would have to be fairly large, because we plan to start out with about 14 birds or so.

Yes, they would have a pool to bathe and refresh themselves.

We are still thinking about whether or not we would want drakes, and how many we would have if we did get them. Do you know the correct ratio of drakes to ducks for 14 ducks?
I've looked at a lot of info about that but haven't found what I'm looking for. They would have to share the same house most likely.

Thanks!

 

[Table4Six]

Thank you so much for your response!! Those are some great tips!
I've looked at a lot of those breeds and I agree they are great birds, I thought about Khaki Campbell quite a bit, but decided against it considering some of my siblings are very young and a lot people say those can be very nervous birds.

The coup and run size would have to be fairly large, because we plan to start out with about 14 birds or so.

Yes, they would have a pool to bathe and refresh themselves.

We are still thinking about whether or not we would want drakes, and how many we would have if we did get them. Do you know the correct ratio of drakes to ducks for 14 ducks?
I've looked at a lot of info about that but haven't found what I'm looking for. They would have to share the same house most likely.

Thanks!

No problem! I think I should mention, Welsh Harlequins are also known to be nervous and shy like KC. My Welsh hen is very sweet, but definitely has a shy disposition.

I have twenty-eight ducks, so I understand needing large accommodations. Feel free to ask questions.

Many people say 1 drake to 3 hens. I would preferably go with 1 drake to 5 hens. However, since your birds will be primarily for laying, a drake would be unnecessary unless you want to hatch eggs in the future. If you do decide to get a male, I’d go with just one.