I am thinking of hatching some duck eggs this summer!

[Cuqui18]

hi everyone, i have never hatched ducks or chickens before so this would be a first for me

i am very responsible and passionate about animals and my moTher MIGHT allow me to keep about 2 ducks if i do indeed hatch them with my homemade incubator. i am sooo excited for school to end now i cant wait! but does any one on here recommend a certain breed? ive been doing some research and i found that cayugas and rouens i think would be best...anyone own 'em that could tell me how they are as 'backyard pets'?

i live in very close proximity to neighbors so noise is certainly a something i would like to limit...i also have 3 very friendly medium/small sized dogs who are very sociable.
also... just HOW MESSY are the ducks? i am willing to do everything i can to keep things clean and safe, i am just worried about if my mom would freak out once i got them.

im still looking into this so any advice, tips or comments for me starting on this new adventure are very appreciated!!!

 

[FoxhallFarm]

Hi there, hope this is of some help to you...first off, incubating ducks at home can be a bit tricky, do your research and try to keep the humidity & temp at the correct levels for each stage if you can but then I presume you have been reading up on all that already.
I keep a pair of Cayuga ducks and would have no problem recommending them as backyard ducks, however they do grow into quite a big duck (as do the Rouens) but they're not bad layers, and lay a nice big egg. I find they like their own space, love each others company but don't seem too bothered one way or another about the presence or abscence of humans. Mine don't take any notice of the cats but aren't too keen on dogs getting too close. That said they're def not as nervous as other smaller breeds of ducks and are stunning looking birds.
My own personal favourite duck to keep as pets are Muscovy ducks, who I think have a much more sociable personality than other breeds, mine seem quite glad to se me approaching in the morning (although the feed bucket might have more to do with that than anything else!).

They are calm birds & pay no heed whatsoever to the cats and dogs are simply watched without much interest.
Another plus with keeping Muscovy ducks is that they don't need a pond like other ducks, just a fairly sizable container of water that they can get into to bathe. They will also forage for a lot of their own food, grass, bugs, leaves etc. if it's available which cuts down on feed bills. If you are considering Muscovies though don't forget their eggs take a little longer to incubate than other ducks.
I wish you the very best of luck with your incubating endeavors & I'm sure your Mom will come round when they hatch, there's nothing cuter than a little baby duckling