I'm looking into getting some ducks,But do they make obnoxious sounds?

[veronicasmom]

My Runner females have been LOUD, same with my Blue Swedes. My Pekins is pretty quiet actually, which I thought was not usually the case.

 

[FenDruadin]

The thing about duck noise is--most people like it. I mean, people go to the park for the express purpose of feeding the ducks. So folks tend to associate duck noise with peace and comfort.

It actually sort of cracks me up that anyone complains about duck or chicken noise in the city anyway--I mean, honestly, if you live in the city you've got road noise, airplane noise, dogs barking, cats yowling, radios blaring, neighbors talking, kids shouting, delivery trucks rumbling... what's a silly little duck or chicken?

But I know it *does* matter, and you want to stay under the radar. But I still think people like the sound of ducks--even people who *don't* like the sound of a rooster (silly people).

Anyway, a dog kennel is a great choice for a run. Mine are bedded on deep litter, which helps with a lot of the mess and is less work than many other methods. Basically, you put down a thin layer of bedding (usually straw or similar). Then every time it starts to get messy (daily for my ducks), you lay a thin layer over that. You only change the bedding completely once or twice a year. The bedding will get pretty deep--six inches or more--but it doesn't get smelly because the top layer holds off the bugs and the smell, and the lower layers begin decomposing. When you clean out in the spring, you'll have loads of lovely compost to use on your garden or trees. Also, the ducks will dig holes in the bedding, but they can't make mud puddles because they don't reach the dirt below.

This works really well if you can let them out to range the garden a bit during the day. Or, some folks have a second duck yard that is grass, and they let the ducks in only when the weather is dry (so they can't make mud) AND when the grass is in good condition--so it stays in good condition.

Good luck!

 

[AHappychick]

Quote:
yep my runners are louder than my chickens by far but I have been told for quiet Muscovies are the way to go, either that or get all drakes, but then you wont get eggs.