NEW TO DUCKS.......... Any Advice??!?!?

[ChucktheChick]

Ok, I am totally new to ducks, just a few questions.....

What are the best breeds around children?

Will my ducks fight with my chickens if I put them in together?

Can I get a drake and have him in with my rooster with out them fighting?

Are ducks like chickens and will they lay eggs for eating without a drake, and if there WAS a drake, would the eggs be fertile?

Thank you all in advance! I am SO new to ducks, only had three two or three years ago, but I don;t know a thing about them! Well except they're cute....... lol. Thanks everyone! So greatful! I want some for my 5 year old and once we raise them for awhile, we are gonna try incubating some. Once that happens, you willl see another thread on about 50 million questions on how to incubate them! I am thinking just on going to TSC to get some ducks from there, but now I think I should order specific breeds online. Any advice on that? Thanks everyone for any advice!!!

Grace

 

[Kevin565]

Ok, I am totally new to ducks, just a few questions.....

What are the best breeds around children? Most breeds should be fine but Runners can be a bit spastic sometimes so they might not be the best choice.

Will my ducks fight with my chickens if I put them in together? Possibly. I've never had chickens but my ducks always just ignored everyone else.

Can I get a drake and have him in with my rooster with out them fighting? It would depend on the rooster and the drake. Many people house them together without many issues but others have had a issue.

Are ducks like chickens and will they lay eggs for eating without a drake, and if there WAS a drake, would the eggs be fertile? Yes to both.

Thank you all in advance! I am SO new to ducks, only had three two or three years ago, but I don;t know a thing about them! Well except they're cute....... lol. Thanks everyone! So greatful! I want some for my 5 year old and once we raise them for awhile, we are gonna try incubating some. Once that happens, you willl see another thread on about 50 million questions on how to incubate them! I am thinking just on going to TSC to get some ducks from there, but now I think I should order specific breeds online. Any advice on that? Thanks everyone for any advice!!!

Grace

You might try Metzer Farms

 

[ChucktheChick]

I have tried Metzers. The ducks I want are $7.50 each, and you have to get a minimum order of like 30 I think. I do not want to spend that much money....... do you have any answers for my questions? Thanks for the quick response!!!!!!

 

[ChucktheChick]

I have tried Metzers. The ducks I want are $7.50 each, and you have to get a minimum order of like 30 I think. I do not want to spend that much money....... do you have any answers for my questions? Thanks for the quick response!!!!!!

Oh I am SO sorry Kevin565! I didn't know you answered the questions!!!! So sorry.... I need to look harder! Thanks!

 

[ChucktheChick]

You might try Metzer Farms

Thank you Kevin!

 

[CricketR4]

I can tell you that MY ducks (Indian Runners) are fine with my chickens. I have them sleep in the same coop at night, and free range during the day, so they have plenty of space to get away from each other if need be. The only problem I ran into: one of my ducks died, leaving my drake with just two instead of three ducks, so he started chasing two of my bantam hems around. Not sure if he was trying to mate or not, but I bought two more IRs for him and he's since left the chickens alone. As for breeds....not sure about that, I like the IRs, they're fun to watch, and seem fine around my kids (I have four kids ages 10,8,4,and 5.5)... so again, I can only give you personal experience.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[TLWR]

You can order as few as 2 ducks from Metzer Farms. There is a min order and shipping 2 will cost about $60.
Pekins are great ducks for kids, but many breeds will be fine. Especially if you only raise a few at a time and spend lots of hands on time with them.

Girls will lay eggs without a drake. With a drake they could be fertile eggs.

 

[ChucktheChick]

Oh

...

You can order as few as 2 ducks from Metzer Farms. There is a min order and shipping 2 will cost about $60.
Pekins are great ducks for kids, but many breeds will be fine. Especially if you only raise a few at a time and spend lots of hands on time with them.

Girls will lay eggs without a drake. With a drake they could be fertile eggs.
[/quote maybe cause it was colder.....

 

[ChucktheChick]

Thabks

...

I can tell you that MY ducks (Indian Runners) are fine with my chickens. I have them sleep in the same coop at night, and free range during the day, so they have plenty of space to get away from each other if need be. The only problem I ran into: one of my ducks died, leaving my drake with just two instead of three ducks, so he started chasing two of my bantam hems around. Not sure if he was trying to mate or not, but I bought two more IRs for him and he's since left the chickens alone. As for breeds....not sure about that, I like the IRs, they're fun to watch, and seem fine around my kids (I have four kids ages 10,8,4,and 5.5)... so again, I can only give you personal experience.

Hope this helps a little!
[/Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chesterbarton78]

Make sure you keep an eye on your ducks for a week or 2 to make sure they don't escape or hurt themselves in their new environment!!!​