Might be getting some ducks...Help!

[77horses]

OK so I've been trying to convince my mom and stepfather to get some chickens recently, because I've had so much fun with them at my dad's house. (Here's the thread all about it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=306208&p=1) And after I wrote them a persuasive letter about it, they seemed a little more interested in it. Well, my mom got a book about composting and stuff because we're gonna build a greenhouse and everything. The book had some information about ducks and it said they are quieter than chickens, they don't fight as much as chickens, they're more well-behaved, and they lay tastier, larger eggs.

So now my stepfather thinks he wants to get some ducks instead!

So this is the hard part; I have NO experience with ducks at all!!!

I know all about chickens, what they eat, their eggs, how to hatch their eggs, etc...etc....But ducks??? Nope, nothing.

I know that they look really cute and friendly from the pictures I've seen here, IMO.

So for those of you who do own ducks, what do you think about them? If you've raised/if you raise chickens, which do you prefer and why? Any information you have about them will help.

Also, what kinds of breeds are there? I know there's a breed called Indian Runners and there are Mallards, but that's about it.

Thanks!

 

[Olive Hill]

If you've raised/if you raise chickens, which do you prefer and why?

For me it's not an either/or decision. It's like asking me if I want to eat only apples or only oranges. I like eating both. I like both my chickens and my ducks.

Also, what kinds of breeds are there? I know there's a breed called Indian Runners and there are Mallards, but that's about it.

There are lots of lists online but the most common you can find just about anywhere (feed store, hatchery, swap, etc) would probably be Rouens, Mallards, Indian Runners, Khaki Campbells and Pekins. Muscovy ducks are very popular right now and gaining every day. Call Ducks seem to be on the downswing of their popularity but are, it seems, just about everywhere. Then you have your Welsh Harlequins, Cayugas, Saxony, Appleyards, Anconas, Cresteds, Buffs, etc. that are harder to come by.

If you google any of the above breed names, or just visit the feathersite duck page you will find more information that you'll probably ever need on each one.

 

[lovesduckies]

Hi 77 Horses.

first of all, i think ducks are way cuter than chickens!!! i have never had chickens though so idk how they are in comparison to ducks.

i raise 2 bedroom muscovies. they are the sweetest duckies!! my drake is my buddy right now because his wife is sitting on their little egg babies. ducks are pretty messy as they like to swim and will mess that water almost instantly. i have a hearder time with them in my room, but i don't mind it at all. as far as breeds go, there are tons! kahki cambells, pekins, runner, muscovies, calls, etc. i am sure you will see all kinds if you keep checking up on here or even google duck breeds.

you can also PM me if you'd like to know more and i'm sure other people will answer your questions as well!!

 

[77horses]

Quote:
For me it's not an either/or decision. It's like asking me if I want to eat only apples or only oranges. I like eating both. I like both my chickens and my ducks.

Also, what kinds of breeds are there? I know there's a breed called Indian Runners and there are Mallards, but that's about it.

There are lots of lists online but the most common you can find just about anywhere (feed store, hatchery, swap, etc) would probably be Rouens, Mallards, Indian Runners, Khaki Campbells and Pekins. Muscovy ducks are very popular right now and gaining every day. Call Ducks seem to be on the downswing of their popularity but are, it seems, just about everywhere. Then you have your Welsh Harlequins, Cayugas, Saxony, Appleyards, Anconas, Cresteds, Buffs, etc. that are harder to come by.

If you google any of the above breed names, or just visit the feathersite duck page you will find more information that you'll probably ever need on each one.

OK thanks! If we do get some ducks it will be a pretty big change for me after raising only chickens since 2007.

 

[Amiga]

Welcome!

I LOVE ducks!

Chickens are fine, by the way - but a bit different.

Ducks love water, and need lots of it to drink, wash, and play in!

There are many breeds - three basic sizes - small, medium and large

They don't scratch like chickens, but they don't always watch their step and can flatten vegetation because they like to nibble at it.

Mine love peas and salad.

They are hardy, once grown.

One male duck needs 3 or more females to, uhm, keep him satisfied (some like 6 or 7 . . . .)

They can get foot infections, but mine haven't ever had one.

They can get respiratory infections, but ditto above.

Some kinds of medicated chick feed are bad for them

Ducklings need three times the niacin that chicks do

Keeping their bedding dry is one of the biggest challenges of raising them.

They are susceptible to predators of many kinds

Without a duck mom, they don't float until they are several weeks old, but they can have warm shallow baths if they can go right into a warm dry place after, until they dry off

They can get themselves into all kinds of trouble

(gotta go do our bedtime routine in the brooder - change towels, remove water - cannot remove water at night until they are several weeks old, but wow, it really helps now that they are seven weeks old - they get bored at night and play in their water)

They are sweet and funny (sometimes drakes can get nasty during breeding season - depends on how many females you have, and the individual drake's personality)