Need help choosing a breed

[domromer]

After asking questions here and doing a bit of research we've decided to go ahead and get some ducks.

I'm looking for a calm breed and one that is easy to order online.

Our dogs and chickens are going to be fenced off but share the backyard. I'd like to get some ducks that
aren't so high strung that they will have a hard attack every time the dogs come charging out. My chickens completely ignore the dogs.

Egg production is important but not paramount. It's just the two of us and we plan on getting 4 ducks so it seems no matter which breed we get we should have more than enough.

I was set on Campbells but have read a few different places that they are a bit skittish.

Also does anyone know of hatcheries that will sell just 4 birds? I've tried Metlers and the least they will do is 10.
I can sell the other 5 on craigs list, but I'd rather just start with the 4.

so here are the qualities we are looking for in order of preference.

1.calm
2.friendly
3.cold hardy ( our house is at 7000ft)
4.good layers
5. attractive plumage.

 

[taraann81]

I always have to put in a vote for Muscovies. They are calm, quiet and seem to be more tolerant of people and interacting with them IMO. They are a great dual purpose bird, large size, good meat, lots of eggs. They are quiet (they don't quack) and they will keep your yard free of flies and musquitos. They are great foragers and are really hardy in all types of weather.
HOWEVER a muscovy will not win a beauty contest. I am one of the few who do think they are pretty!
Some say that they are hard to find in commercial hatcheries, this is not the case where I live, they are easy to order online and cost about 2.50 a duckling.

 

[pirtykitty]

How many were you wanting to order????

Holderreads has a minimum order of 10
Sandhill 15 and 12 during summer
Metzers will has a min order of 10 but will ship as few as 2 but cost a little extra..

http://www.metzerfarms.com/
http://www.holderreadfarm.com/
http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/

I placed an order to come in May from Metzer..
3 welsh harlequins 2 black cayugas..

 

[NewHopePoultry]

It may be hard to only find 4 unless your willing to pay the high cost of shipping only a few


Cayugas or blue Swedish always get my vote

khaki Campells really arent too bad

 

[domromer]

Quote:
We just want 4 or 5 at the most.

 

[domromer]

Quote:
Are they good layers? I read a profile that said they are prone to flying, did you need to clip their wings? I like the look of them and the fact that they are very quiet. We live in the suburbs so quiet is better.

 

[barnwife]

I have a lot of different breeds...khaki campbells, runners, swedish, roeun, pekin, cayuga, magpie, ancona, mallards, and mix mutts.

They are , in order of laid-back-ness....
1. ANCONA
2. Magpie
3. cayuga
4. rouen swedish and khaki campbell
5. runners and mallards


numbers four and five all flip out hard when my neighbors jack russell pup comes within 20 feet...and he has never chased them or anything.

the first three have no issues with any dogs, other than to walk away, even when my great dane gets playful. Mis mutts seem to be a little agressive in protecting the other ducks they are with and grow up with...but do not flip out so much.

Good luck!!

Holderreads has EXCELLENT quality birds...seriously the highest quality you can get from a hatchery PERIOD. They are better than most private breeders for quality.

 

[taraann81]

Yes they are good layers. They can fly, I do clip their wings, if your not sure how to do it its simple, you just clip the ends of there flight feathers. It isn't painful for them its like a hair cut, I do it about once every 3-4 months. I have 3 bull mastiffs and my scovies will lay on the porch with them (always supervised) They are NOT skittish. I sometimes wish they were more so as they would walk right up to any stray dog.
Mine lay about 200 eggs a year. I think they are great ducks with lots of personality!

 

[domromer]

Quote:
I like the look of the cayugas, Are they good layers? The look a lot like Mallards, are they prone to fly off?

 

[domromer]

Anyone have any experience with the Golden 300 Hybrid? They are described as more eggs than Campbells and calmer as well. Sounds like a nice combo.