I'm new...

[Oakly24]

I'm thinking of getting a duck or two to keep as a pet. I live in Minnesota, if that makes a difference. I've heard good things about a few breeds but am not sure which is best. I would like something friendly and fairly quiet.
Which breed should I get? How many? Is it okay to get one or is two a better idea?
Any suggestions will help. Thanks!

 

[aurora14]

I don't have ducks yet either, (still trying to convince DH ) but from what I've learned is they do better with at least one friend.
I have chosen Welsh harlequin for what I want to get because they have a calm temperament, forage well, stay close to home, and lay lots of eggs I live in the suburbs and kinda require quiet ducks lol. Thought of Cayuga too....

 

[Going Quackers]

Welcome!

well definitely get two, ducks are flock animals and no matter how dedicated you are you can never replace what another of their own kind can provide.

Breed wise? only one i own would suit, Muscovy as the girls don't quack often, generally using trills, coos, hissing to communicate. My other breeds are noisy lol (Pekin, buff and calls)

I like this site for breed info.. i have no personal experience with this hatchery/farm just they provide good overall info... i have no duck breed experience beyond the 4 types i keep.

http://www.metzerfarms.com/

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

 

[veronicasmom]

I have and have had Pekins, Swedish, Runners, mixed breeds, Mallard, and Muscovies. The Muscovies by far are the calmest, quietest of all. And excellent layers. Very personable and easy to handle. They are large, so they are pretty strong and sturdy.

 

[anniele27]

I have 9 pekin 3 Rouen and 3 Indian runners. In my experience the pekins are medium loudness and the smartest- they were first to catch on to their routine. The rouens are definitely the quietest but don't particularly enjoy being held or pet. The Indian runners are the loudest (and they haven't even got their quacks in yet) but are the most friendly- love being cuddled and held! The runners are only loud when the other ducks or I am out of the room otherwise they are just about the same as the others! Also runners are foragers so they won't necessarily need an actual pond as much as some other duck breeds.
Hope i help some!

 

[Richb353]

Welcome,
Friendly and fairly quiet? How many?

Love me some Cayugas and Welsh Harlequin!


Ok, seriously. Check out the Duck Comparison Chart at Metzer Farms where they indicate "calmness" of the breeds. Cayugas and Welsh are said to be some of the calmest ducks around. I've found they will let out a good healthy quack at random (or when you're chasing them), but otherwise they just seem to be chatting among themselves the rest of the time. It seems all ducks are friendly and a little louder when it's feeding time!

How many? The wife suggested 4......I got 23! Too much of a good thing, is a good thing!

Enjoy,
Rich

 

[Going Quackers]

Welcome,
Friendly and fairly quiet? How many?

Love me some Cayugas and Welsh Harlequin!


Ok, seriously. Check out the Duck Comparison Chart at Metzer Farms where they indicate "calmness" of the breeds. Cayugas and Welsh are said to be some of the calmest ducks around. I've found they will let out a good healthy quack at random (or when you're chasing them), but otherwise they just seem to be chatting among themselves the rest of the time. It seems all ducks are friendly and a little louder when it's feeding time!

How many? The wife suggested 4......I got 23! Too much of a good thing, is a good thing!

Enjoy,
Rich

23!? lol i'd say that is a tad more than 4

 

[laughingdog]

Started with a pair of muscovy, that i let hatch a dozen young, traded for two more to add to that, and for now have way too many eggs to do anything with, and young popping out from the traded for ones.
I also have what think are layer hybrids or just khaki campbell mixes, which are really quiet, but very skittish and aggressive, depending, other times are very needy n pesty.

Over all id start with a trio of scovy so you can have calm friendly easy to manage egg layers, then they can incubate other type of duck eggs with, eating eggs of female and meat of male scovy young (non greasy taste of beef), if you want to.

 

[Oakly24]

Thanks everyone!