Need help picking a breed for a new duck owner question on post 17

[schellie69]

I have read and looked at pictures and seen the different breeds. I need some help I want to get ducks for my grand daughters they really want some for eggs. I do have chickens (grand daughters can not eat store eggs) so I wanted to get duck eggs for baking I remember them from when I was kid on our farm the baked goods where so

good. I need a breed that is quiet easy to handle, lays eggs really well. Is friendly. and gets along with chickens also one that does go broody on their own I do not have an incubator I have a place for them to have their own pen and coop. I was thinking 4 females and 1 male encase I want to hatch some eggs. Also I feed my chickens gamebird feed due to their free ranging can I feed this to the ducks also. I saw some hybrid ducks on a couple of hatchery sites does any one have them or know anything about them. Thanks for any help

 

[Duckles]

From what I have learned on here, Khaki Campbells are the best egg layers. As far as personality goes, my 3 always think I am trying to kill them and run away, feathers flying everywhere... But maybe other people find them to be friendlier? I didn't snuggle mine much as I was so attached to my black runner, now he's really friendly even though I've heard other people say their runners can be really skittish. I think friendliness has a lot to do with how much time you spend with them when they are younger. Without getting a a lot of attention as a duckling, my Cayuga is SUPER friendly, but I don't know how they are at laying eggs... Just my experience so far! But I am new too and haven't gotten any eggs yet

Good luck

 

[Wifezilla]

Based on your requirements I would say Welsh Harlequins. They lay about as well as a khaki, but they are more friendly.

I feed my harlequins game bird feed and they have done great on it for the past 3 years. I have quail and they have to have the higher protein level. The ducks also get greens, forage, and they have a bin with whole grains that they can have free choice.

 

[Big Dreamer]

Quote:
Dito on the welsh harlequins!!! But i dont have the feeding habbits!!

 

[MissusDee]

or Buffs too!! Mine are friendly and they haven't laid eggs yet, but I understand they do that well and are calmer than Khaki Campbells.

 

[mangled]

My Khaki Campbells are excellent layers, but they're very neurotic. They were handled as ducklings, and well socialized, but if you walk past them these days, they're quacking and running for their lives. The Pekins and runner are pretty friendly, especially when it comes to treats, but the Khaki Campbells will hang back and wait until I walk away until they dive in for goodies.

Welsh Harlequins do have good personalities. My friend has a whole herd of them, and they'll walk with us as we're walking around, just quacking and being social. They're LOUD, tho', from my experience. Her WH hens put my loud mouth Pekins to shame.

Good luck!
I love my ducks.

Em

 

[Wifezilla]

Buffs are very friendly, but they are a bit on the bossy and loud side. They don't lay quite as well as harlequins or khakis, but they are entertaining ducks.

 

[aineheartsyou]

my vote goes for WH! I think they are beautiful!

 

[jarcoo0153]

What about runners or swedes?

 

[ChickGirl6]

I second the Swedes!