new to duck raising

[flynntheduck]

Hi! My husband and I just got two chicks and a duckling. I am reading that it is best to have more than one duck. my question is, do I need 2 ducks or is one duck okay with having chickens as friends? Or should I get Flynn a duck friend? Thanks in advance!

 

[KuroKitsune]

i think you should get him a duckie friend as while he may get along with the chicks theyr aren't the same and he'd be much happier with another duck for a friend

 

[TLWR]

Yep, get a ducky friend. They may be fine together now, but that may change. My ducks and chickens co-exist. Neither seeks to be with the other.

 

[flynntheduck]

Ok. My hubby probably won't be pleased with that answer. Haha! I wanted a "pretty" chicken but he wants good layers and wouldn't let me get a pretty chicken if it didn't lay well so I chose a duck instead. We can only have 6 birds so having 2 ducks means only 4 chickens and he probably won't be happy with that idea. Especislly since the ducks will be pets and not a food source. Oh well Flynn will get a friend and hubby will get over it.

 

[KuroKitsune]

try and find a female khaki campbell, welsh harlequin or even maybe a runner all those lay very well so you'll still get lots of eggs

 

[flynntheduck]

Ok. I will see what I can find. The ducks at my local store are not sexed so im not certain I will find a female. I have a Rouen now but don't know sex.

 

[eggorthechicken]

Ducks will lay just as well as chickens. I have Ancona and they lay great. I agree they are better with a friend of the same. Sometimes you can find a good helper at the feed stores that know how to sex them. Good luck!

 

[Richb353]

Ahoy,
I have an adult male and female couple of Cayugas. She has laid me 4 grey eggs in the last 5 days. There were 10 eggs waiting for me when I peeked inside their duck house last weekend. (I didn't think they were going to lay eggs for another month, wrong was I!)

Ducks go everywhere together, so even two seems like too small of a flock. I recently ordered 20+ ducklings, so I am somewhat biased. There is something elegant and relaxing about a small herd of ducks meandering around the property. JMHO

Enjoy,
Rich

 

[eggorthechicken]

My ducks gave me eggs all throughout the winter too. Rich is correct too...they stick close together. I love watching my ducks too. Peaceful and just funny to watch. :0)

 

[Speceider]

Ok. I will see what I can find. The ducks at my local store are not sexed so im not certain I will find a female. I have a Rouen now but don't know sex.

Looks more like a mallard than a rouen.

Clint