Need Help Deciding On Duck Breeds

Vyctoria

Songster
8 Years
May 30, 2016
205
212
196
Finger Lakes, NY
So I started out with 5 ducks from Metzer. One male and four females. My Khaki got killed by my dog in two days because of a mishap with him getting away from me and snatching it. And then my Welsh Harlequin just randomly died last night for unknown reasons at 7 weeks old. I currently have two Cayugas and a Blue Swedish left. I'd like to get more ducks because I was really hoping to have more than just 2 females and I like a variety for the fun of it(also easier to tell apart).

My plan is to order 3 more females, but I'm having a hard time deciding what to get. I know that I want another Welsh Harlequin. But the other two are stumping me. For the short time that I had that Khaki I found them to be completely phsyco. Not sure if I want another, but they sure are pretty and I like egg laying aspect. Another that I'm considering is the Buff Orpington ducks, but I can't find much about them. My father wants a crested, but I personally think they're ugly and I don't know anything about them. I had my heart set on getting a female Saxony, but I can't find anywhere that sells them sexed. Also like Magpies, but again, can't find where to buy them sexed. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm mainly looking at personality here, but I'd love suggestions on ducks that you've found to be really docile and laid back. Noise isn't a problem for me, I love it. My Blue Swedish has become my favorite and I'm considering getting a Black Swedish because of this, but I'm undecided. I just need ideas.
 
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Sorry for your losses :hugs For your ducks, if you didn't like the personality of the KC but want a lot of eggs, you could try a Golden 300 from Metzer. They are calm and good egg layers. You could also try pekins, which are very calm and also good layers. They also have a breed called "white layer" that are white like pekins but according to their info outlay them, so that's also a good option for lots of eggs. A black swedish would be nice if your blue swedish has become a favorite. You're right to avoid the crested ducks, especially the females since you have a drake. The crest is actually caused by a hole in their skull, and the gene is fatal if the duckling inherits two copies - the embryo simply dies in the shell. Those that do survive can have all sorts of neurological issues, and since there is a hole in their skull, when the drake grabs their head for balance while mating with them, this is very dangerous for them and can cause serious injury or even death.
 
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Same as why people breed munchkin cats and japanese bantams, whose short legs are caused by a lethal gene, I guess - they like the look of them. Personally I will never own any of them on purpose.
 
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Wow, I'm really happy I asked. I had no idea about the crested ducks. Makes me wonder why anyone would breed them in general? 


I'm assuming for similar circumstances as "spider-gene" ball pythons. (I'm a reptile person as well haha) a ball that has a spider gene has a unique color pattern that was desirable with breeders when first discovered. They began to selectively breed it. You can actually tell the early generation spiders from highly inbred spiders by the extremity of the pattern. That being said, every single spider gene ball has what's known as a wobble, which is a neurological defect that varies anywhere from an uncontrollable head shake to being unable to control the movements of their entire body.

Sorry, that got really off topic. Anyway, it's like with "purebred" dogs as well. People see something aesthetically desirable and breed the crap out of it without caring about the genetic disposition
 
Same as why people breed munchkin cats and japanese bantams, whose short legs are caused by a lethal gene, I guess - they like the look of them. Personally I will never own any of them on purpose.

Agreed. I'm a major cat enthusiast and Munchkin cats are literally the only breed I won't even consider for a second. It makes me sad...

I'm assuming for similar circumstances as "spider-gene" ball pythons. (I'm a reptile person as well haha) a ball that has a spider gene has a unique color pattern that was desirable with breeders when first discovered. They began to selectively breed it. You can actually tell the early generation spiders from highly inbred spiders by the extremity of the pattern. That being said, every single spider gene ball has what's known as a wobble, which is a neurological defect that varies anywhere from an uncontrollable head shake to being unable to control the movements of their entire body.

Sorry, that got really off topic. Anyway, it's like with "purebred" dogs as well. People see something aesthetically desirable and breed the crap out of it without caring about the genetic disposition

lol, no worries! I actually find it very interesting. I work part time at a garden/pet store and we sell a lot of snakes, so it's cool to know.
 
lol, no worries! I actually find it very interesting. I work part time at a garden/pet store and we sell a lot of snakes, so it's cool to know.

Honestly, some variations do look really cool. If you have a minute sometime Google some pictures. Obviously, no matter how cool it looks I would never purposefully breed a spider gene :(
 
Well, I officially decided on another Welsh Harlequin, a Rouen, and a Buff. Should be a nice assortment of colors and personalities. More baby ducks in July!
 
I have 2 khaki campbells. They lay almost everyday and they can be loud.
They have a really funny personality. Sometimes they would just waddle around the place for no reason in perticular!

I would recommend getting KCs:)
 

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