Loads of duck questions!

[noodledog]

but if your gonna get pekin, I would suggest getting a white crested

I would never recommend intentionally getting a crested duck, the crested gene is linked to a whole bunch of neurological problems. The crest grows from fatty tissue covering a gap in their skull, and if drakes are too rough on hens and grab onto their crest they can really hurt or kill them.

 

[Weeg]

Ohhh, wow! I never knew that! My drake that we hatched is really nice so I don't ever have a problem, but wow, that is crazy! I bet if you didn't get a drake though then a white crested duck is a good option! I still will suggest them as a great breed, but maybe better without a drake. Thanks for the info, I never knew that! Avery

 

[noodledog]

No problem, and even without a drake I still would not get one. They're prone to seizures and other neurological problems. They're cute but I would never recommend them because of their issues.

 

[Weeg]

Wow alright, thats really intresting. I will mention that next time I tell people about them, but I still think they deserve a good home issues or not! I think not buying them because of the neurological issues is kinda like not getting them because ether disabled. I still love them all the same! It is kinda cruel people would create a breed of duck with issues like that though. Thanks for sharing! Avery

 

[black_cat]

i agree with U-stormcrow about th perkins, But white crested day at the cutest thing in the whole world, I love them! Ohhh, and MALARDS, if you are gonna get ducks, definitely get mallards, they will fly for you and make amazing broody's if thats what you want, plus, the blue eggs!

Wait, mallards lay blue eggs? That's cool! I think that I wanted pekins because they are large and a lot of people on here have them. I'll reconsider!
Maybe:
2 silver appleyard
1 swedish blue
1 mallard
2 runners

 

[Weeg]

Ya, mallards can lay blue eggs I don't think its certain they will but both of mine do! I love them they are so cute and very talkative, the are my FAVORITE duck! Just make sure your night time pen/coop is big enough for them to do some flapping around! They are great broody's too!

 

[Weeg]

I like pekin too! Just have never owned them, the only thing similar are my buffs which are yellow rather then white, But otherwise I guess there's no difference really!

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Just catching up on this thread - has there not been a shout out for the Khaki Campbell's?!

A hardy bird, mine have super large and contrary personalities and are laying machines unless they have a mood on.

Super layers but they tend to be broody for all of ten minutes so if you wanted to breed, you would probably need an incubator (and a drake !).

Speaking of drakes, my ladies went four years without one - they don't need them but they do do 'looking after duties' if you get a good one - but like cockerels, it can be hit and miss.

They have had a tub and a pond - they seem to like both equally.

Overall I think ducks are amazing to keep - they provide endless antics, no one day is the same, the eggs are soooo much better than chicken eggs (sorry to the rest of byc!) Especially if you can't eat chicken eggs.

Keeping ducks is practically a lifestyle choice - I'd recommend it to anyone !