Khaki Campbell ducks for eggs--my questions

[Sunny Side Up]

I am considering getting some Khaki Campbell ducks to raise for their eggs.

I'm guessing that like chickens, they don't "need" a male in order to lay. But does it help to have a drake for protection, guidance, social balance?

I'm thinking of keeping 3-5 girls, would 1 drake be man enough for that number? Once they mature, will the girls lay almost every day? Throughout the year, or seasonally? Like chickens, a lot the first few years & then taper off?

Last year our local feed store had Khakis for sale one week. I may try to get mine from there, or order from MMH. They have a minimum order of 10 ducklings, I figure I could sell the extras or split an order with someone.

I've had chickens for 4 years and guineas for 2, keeping ducks will be a new adventure for me. I appreciate any imput you might provide. Thank you.

 

[poultrykeeper08]

That ratio will work fine . My khaki Campbell ducks laid all year long

 

[SimplyAbundantFarm]

I find our small flock of ducks to be incredibly entertaining. I just order straight run and take my chances -- so far we have been fortunate enough that we end up with a pretty good mix between drakes and hens.

One thing that you need to know is that they are about the messiest birds there are. People told me that before I got my first ducks, but I guess I did not realize just how messy they really are.

Also, I don't know whether or note Khaki Campbells are like this, but your drake will at least THINK he can handle not only his girls, but your chickens, your guineas, and anything he can get close to that doesn't get away quickly enough. They are persistent little fellows, to be sure!

No matter what you do, just make sure that you get more than one. Mine look like a small wave every time they move through the pasture -- they are very tight flockers and you always know they are coming. Every step they take is accompanied by a little ruckus.

When they get older, I find that the easiest way to sex them is by their voices. Hens are loud -- with a very strong 'Quack...quack...quack!" The drakes just sound like they are muttering under their breath to me. My son has told me for years that ducks are a true reflection of male and female humans, too -- we make the most noise and the men just quietly suffer along with us -- mumbling a little bit under their breath as they go.

Enjoy them!

 

[tmk]

I don't have any ducks but from what I can remember I've read that Khaki Campbell lay all year around about 300 eggs a year.
That's a lot of eggs!!...

They are bred to be a good layer so I guess that's what expected of them. But I don't think they go broody much.

I'm thinking about ducks too

Muscovy in particular. You got many of them in FL, huh?

Good luck with you ducks!
Looking forward to hear the follow-ups

 

[Becky89*]

I have just one male and one female Khaki Campbell and they love to be in the tall grass and the male is very protective. My female lays almost everday and she is a very gentle girl. She comes right to me and when I sit in the tall grass she'll waddle right up and crawl into my lap with my male sitting beside me.

I LOVE MY DUCKS

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I never knew there were so many Muscovy duck fans until I began keeping chickens & logging on to these far-reaching poultry message boards. I've grown up here in South Florida surrounded by Muscovies who make a real nuisance of themselves in the suburbs, they're like weeds with wings.

Hearing others sing their praises is like hearing someone say how beautiful & delicious they find Kudzu to be, how they wish they could get some for their gardens, to grow for an ornament and for salads & other hot dishes.

Recently I've been trying to change my perspective on Muscovies. I tell myself they're really nice! Attractive! Delicious! Tasty eggs! But it's a slow reprogramming for me.

If you ever take a trip to Florida, bring a few crates and get yourself some feral Muscovies to take home.

 

[tmk]

Quote:

We have small flock in my neighborhood too. I think one family live around here feed them. Where they are seen is a little farther away from our house so my kids get excited when they see them. But because of their funny look they get picked on a lot by kids.

We are in a process of moving to more rural area, and when we do, I'm thinking about having moscovies as pet who like to eat flies and produce eggs...after we establish a new flock of chicken of course

 

[Zack717]

I must admit I love my muscovies One place you might try is ideal poultry in texas. They have sexed ducks and a smaller min. order policy.

 

[conny63malies]

If you ever take a trip to Florida, bring a few crates and get yourself some feral Muscovies to take home
This is perfectly legal in every state by the way, since muscovys are not native to this country.
i thought about that too. If i ever manhe to go to Key West i will definatley catch me a few of those famous chicks. A

 

[MMaddTom]

I just hatched my first khaki campbells over the past 2 days. cute cute cute. we are so charmed by them. pretty color and very petite compared to my cayugas. we are having too much fun with the ducklings around here.