New Member Alberta Canada

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! I don't have ducks, but sounds like you have gotten some great advice already. Glad you decided to join us! Why not chickens too?

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Cade and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[BullChick]

It’s nice to have you here!
Did you know that Muscovy is better for meat than Pekin? Muscovy aren’t as greasy, and are found to have a better flavor. My thought is that it’s due to Muscovy not being much for swimming. They therefore spend less time ingesting the water that ultimately flavors the meat. Of course, if you decide to add both of those breeds, a mule duck is better yet.
As for the cold climate, ducks are better in the cold than even chickens. For water, use coffee cans, or a rubber bowl. Add a brick to the bowl to keep the ducks from bathing, and getting the bedding wet. Another idea is to make a frame for the bowl. Add a board over half of the dish. Either slide the bowl out, or add a hinge to open the lid.

 

[sourland]

Hello, Cade, and welcome to BYC. Good luck in establishing and maintaining your duck flock.

 

[CahoonCustomCutting]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! I don't have ducks, but sounds like you have gotten some great advice already. Glad you decided to join us! Why not chickens too?

The reason for no chickens is I don't really care for birds and chicken beaks and feet kind freak me out. Therefore I figured ducks are a good jumping off point, because growing up my family never had birds only cattle and hogs. So the beaks and feet of ducks are less intimidating than chickens. Also I prefer duck and quail eggs to chicken eggs.

The first year on our homestead will be ducks, rabbits, a garden and just getting the place spruced up and ok for a 1 year old

 

[ValerieJ]

Also I prefer duck and quail eggs to chicken eggs

This is a good reason for having ducks and not chickens. The rest of your answer seriously had me laughing out loud. I had to read it to DH.

 

[DiYMama540]

Honestly, I used to be a bit afraid of chickens myself Had a couple bad experiences as a child...but I'm happy to say I'm the proud owner of laying hens today! And loving every minute!

For your homestead you should consider geese! They are the most beautiful lawnmowers anyone could ask for!
Welcome to BYC!

 

[TwoCrows]

The reason for no chickens is I don't really care for birds and chicken beaks and feet kind freak me out. So the beaks and feet of ducks are less intimidating than chickens.

Hilarious, but at the same time, I TOTALLY get this.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! Best wishes and Merry Christmas!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at Backyard Chickens, and ducks and geese, and quail, and emus, etc.

Ducks are very amusing to watch(as are chickens) except they have the power to eliminate in any direction - and is considered projectile pooping, they can cover a ceiling and walls.