mandarin and pekin eggs

[eggdd]

and what breed would you all suggest if i want eggs, maybe meat (in theory, this would be awesome, but unsure if i could do it), and something pretty to look at in the pond(s)?

 

[jonespoulltryfarm]

i have brown chiense hacthing eggs breeding stock from dave holdereads very nice birds i have an auction on here or you can buy directly from me thanks and have a wonderful holiday season

 

[KansasKid]

I keep mandarins because they are a gorgeous bird, make cool sounds, and i find enjoyment in them flying about the aviary. I also think its cool when you someone is visiting and you show them the aviary. Most have never seen such a bird and think they are really cool. The same goes for pretty much the rest of the ornamental species. Some of the pen set ups that people use have a real natural feel to them and are awesome to watch the birds in.


If you want something that is going to lay good and have good meet quality it is going to have to be a domestic breed.

The welsh harlequin is a good laying breed that also dresses well because of its light down feathers. They are good looking bird.
Muscovys although i haven't raised any personally i believe they are better for egg and meat production. Although i think (please someone correct me if wrong) they might take longer to mature to right culling size they have a lot more weight on them than mallard derived breeds. My boss has an awesome white muscovy pair that runs loose with the barhead, egyptian, cackling, and snow geese and the drake makes the geese look small.

 

[Oregon Blues]

If you want both meat and eggs, then look at Silver Appleyards. They are also gorgeous to look at.

Welsh Harlequin, Khaki Campbell, or Runners for eggs.

For just meat, the very best is the Pekin. They vary a lot on egg laying. Some are excellent layers, some, not so much. It depends upon the strain. They are all plain white, but white ducks look pretty floating on a pond.

The most beautiful are the ornamentals, but you will get neither meat nor eggs with any efficiency at all. Plus they need a flight cage/ aviary. They are kept for their outstanding good looks.